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" Imogen, like Juliet, conveys to our mind the impression 
of extreme simplicity in the midst of the most wonderful 
complexity. To conceive her aright, we must take some 
peculiar tint from many characters, and so mingle them 
that, like the combination of hues in a sunbeam, the effect 
shall be as one to the eye. We must imagine something of 
the romantic enthusiasm of Juliet, of the truth and con- 
stancy of Helen, of the dignified purity of Isabel, of the 
tender sweetness of Viola, of the self-possession and intel- 
lect of Portia— combined together so equally and so har- 
moniously that we can scarcely say that one quality pre- 
dominates over the other. But Imogen is less imaginative 
than Juliet, less spirited and intellectual than Portia, less 
serious than Helen and Isabel ; her dignity is not so im- 
posing as that of Hermione— it stands more on the defen- 
sive ; her submission, though unbounded, is not so passive 
as that of Desdemona ; and thus, while she resembles each 
of these characters individually , she stands wholly distinct 
from all. . . . 

On the whole, Imogen is a lovely compound of goodness, 
truth, and affection, with just so much of passion and in- 
tellect and poetry as serve to lend to the picture that power 
and glowing richness of effect which it would otherwise 
have wanted; and of her it might be said, if we could 
condescend to quote from any other poet with Shakespeare 
open before us, that ' her person was a paradise and her soiU 
the cherub to guard it.''' , ^ 

'^'^ //T ^ Wvi.^. Jameson. 







h 



PREFACE. 



The First Edition. " The Tragedie of Cymheline " was first 
printed in the Folio of 1623 ; it is the last play in the volume, 
where it occupies pp. 369-399 (misprinted 993). 

The place of Cymheline in the First Folio has led some critics 
to infer that it was included late, and as an afterthought. The 
text of the play is certainly unsatisfactory, and possibly repre- 
sents in many cases the poet's " rough-cast notes " rather than 
his finished work. 

Doubtful Passages. The Vision in Act V. Scene iv. was 
probably by some other hand than Shakespeare's; it recalls the 
problems connected with the Masque in the Fourth Act of the 
Tempest ; in hoih. cases it is important to remember the fond- 
ness for this species of composition during the reign of James 
I. The Vision may have been inserted for some special Court 
representation. 

The exquisite simplicity of the dirge sung by the brothers 
over the grave of Fidele (Act IV., Sc. ii.) seems to have raised 
doubts in the minds of certain commentators as to the authen- 
ticity of the lines ; they have found " something strikingly in- 
ferior " in the concluding couplets, both in thought and ex- 
pression; they would reject, as " additions," 

'• Golden lads and girls all must, 
As chimney-sweepers, come to dust,'* 

preferring no doubt Collins's more elegant rendering : — 
iii 



Preface. C^mbCUnC* 



" To fair Fidele's grassy iomb 

Soft maids and village hinds shall bring 

Each opening sweet of earliest bloom. 
And rifle ail the breathing spring /" 

The " Tragedy" of Cymbeline. The editors of the First 
Folio erred in describing Cymbeline as a " Tragedy," and in 
placing it in the division of " Tragedies" ; " all is outward sor- 
row'' at the opening of the story, but its close is attuned to the 
harmony of peace and happiness, and the play thus satisfies the 
essential conditions of " Komantic Comedy," or more properly 
of Shakespearian ** Tragi -Comedy," — life's commingling of 
tears and laughter, sorrow and joy, joy triumphant in the end. 

Date of Composition. No positive evidence exists for the 
date of composition of Cymbeline ; the probabilities are in favour 
of 1609-10. 

This limit may be fixed from a notice in the MS. Diary of 
Dr. Simon Forman, a notorious quack and astrologer. His 
^^ Book of Plaies and Notes thereof for common Pollicie''* shows 
him an enthusiastic play-goer; it contains his reports of three 
Shakespearian representations at the Globe Theatre in 1610- 
11 ; Macbeth is referred to under the former year (possibly an 
error for 1611) ; The Winter's Ta^e was witnessed on the 15th of 
May, 1611, two or three months before the diarist's death; 
Cymbeline unfortunately has no date assigned ; there is merely 
the statement, preceding an epitome of the plot, — 

*' Remember also the story of Gymbalin, King of England in Lucius' 
time." 

Cymbeline's influence on Beaumont and Fletcher's Philaster 
{cp. the characters of Imogen and Euphrasiaf) is noteworthy : 

* Among the Ashmolean MSS. (208) in the Bodleian Library ; pri- 
vately printed by Halliwell- Phillips. 

t As a single instance of the borrowings, in thought and phraseol- 
ogy, the following may be noted :— 
iv 



(T^mbellne* preface. 

the date of the latter play cannot be definitely fixed, but the 
evidence points to circa 1610-11; 1608 is the earliest date critics 
have assigned to it. Similarly Webster's "White Devil, or Vit- 
toria Corombona," printed in 1612, and written circa 1608, owes 
some of its tenderest touches to the most striking scenes in 
Cymbeline. 

The relation of these two plays, to the present play, as well 
as certain striking resemblances between scenes and situations 
in Cymbeline and Macbeth {e.g., Act II. ii., compared with Mac- 
beth, Act II.*), have led to the conjecture that some portions 
of the work were written as early as 1606-7, the whole being 
completed in 1609-10; one scholar assigns to the former date 
Act II., Sc. i., and Act V., Sc. ii.-v.f Another scholar^ calls 
attention to a change of treatment to be found in the character 
of Cloten; in the earlier scenes "he is a mere fool" {e.g. I. iii., 
II. i.) ; in the later "he is by no means deficient in manliness, 
and the lack of his counsel is regretted by the King in Act IV. 
Sc. i." He finds in Act III. Sc. v. corroboration of his view, 
pointing out that the prose part is a subsequent insertion, 
having some slight discrepancies with the older parts of the 
scene. According to this view the story of Cymbeline and his 
sons, the tribute, &c., in the last three acts, was written at an 
earlier time, in 1606. § 

" The gods take part against me ; could this boor 
Have held me thiis else f " {Philaster, IV. i. ) 
Cp. Cymbeline, V. ii. 2-6. 

* Some of the parallels are certainly noteworthy ; thus, the refer- 
ence to Tarquin (11. 12-14) recalls " Tarquin's ravishing strides" {Macb. 
II. i. 55, 56) ; lac'd with blue of heaven's own tinct " (11. 22, 23) may be 
compared with Duncan's "silver skin laced with his golden blood'' 
(Macb., II. iii. 118), <fec. 

t G. M. Ingleby (cp. his edition of " Cymbeline," 1886). 

t F. G. Fleay. 

g Cp. "A Chronicle History of the Life and Works of William Shake- 
apearc." 

V 



Preface. d^mhCUnC. 

More important than these questionable theories are the 
unmistakable links connecting Cymbeline with the Shakespear- 
ian fragment of Pericles, with The Tempest, and especially with 
The Winter's Tale— the crowning glories of the close of the 
poet's literary life ; what the present writer has said of one of 
these may be said of all: "on all of them his gentle spirit 
seems to rest; 'Timon the Misanthrope' no longer delights 
him; his visions are of human joy — scenes of forgiveness, rec- 
onciliation, and peace — a world where father is re-united with 
child, husband with wife, brother with brother, friend with 
friend. Like his own Miranda, Shakespeare in these Romances 
again finds the world beautiful : — 

" O wonder ! 
How many goodly creatures are there here ! 
How beauteous mankind is ! brave new world 
That has such people in'tf 

Perhaps, after all, John Heminge and Henry Condell knew 
what they were about, when, in defiance of chronology and of 
their own classification, they opened their precious Folio with 
the wonders of Prospero's enchanted island, and closed it with 
'the divine comedy' of 'Posthumous and Imogen.' 

Sources of the Plot. The main plot of the play is the 
love-story of Posthumus and Imogen: this theme, with the 
famous * wager-TOofi/' and the * chest intrigue,' is set in a 
framework of pseudo-British History, and blended with epi- 
sodes belonging to that mythical epoch. 

1. The Historical Element. So far as the names of the 
British King (whose reign was contemporary with the birth 
of Christ), his two sons, and step-son, are concerned, the his- 
torical element was derived from Holinshed's Chronicles of Eng- 
land (Bk. III.; ch. xiii.-xviii.) ; some few meagre incidents 
were taken from the same source, notably the original of Post- 
vi 



Cl^mbeltne* preface. 

humus' account of the battle, and of his description of the 
changed fortunes of the fight, summed up in " a narrow lane, an 
old man, mid two boys,'^ The source of this episode is found in 
Holinshed's History of Scotland, near the chapters dealing with 
the story of Macbeth. 

The mere name of the heroine is also to be found in Holin- 
shed's account of ancient British story ; but it is clear that 
Shakespeare was already familiar with the name when en- 
gaged on Much Ado About Nothing ; in the opening stage-direc- 
tion of this play " Innogen " is actually mentioned as " the 
wife of Leonato." 

II. The Story of Imogen. The story of Imogen was de- 
rived, directly or indirectly, from the Decamerone of Boccaccio ; 
it is one of the Second Day Stories, " wherein was discoursed 
of those who after being baffled by divers chances have won 
at last of a joyful issue beyond their hope." The Ninth Story 
tells " how Bernabo of Genoa, duped by Ambrogiuolo, loseth his good 
and commandeth that his innocent wife be put to death. She et- 
capeth and serveth the Soldan in a man's habit. Here she lighteth 
upon the deceiver of her husband and bringeth the latter to Alexan- 
dria, where her iraducer being punished, she resumeth woman's ap- 
parel and returneth with her husband, rich.'* 

This rough outline of the plot, at the head of Boccaccio's 
story, indicates, somewhat at least, how far Shakespeare's ver- 
sion departs from the Italian. Shakespeare may have read the 
story as told in the Decamerone, but there were many other 
renderings of the theme, which, perhaps originally belonging 
to Byzantine literature, found a place in Old French Bomance 
and Drama long before it reached Italy ; in all probability 
" The Romance of the Violet," by Gerbert de Montruil, circa 1225, 
was the source of Boccaccio's novel. 

From the French, rather than from the Italian, were de- 
rived the oldest German and Scandinavian stories of ** The 
vii 



Preface. Cpmbeltnc* 

Four Merchants ; or, The Virtuotis Wife." Some such English 
variant of the Imogen story was probably current in England 
in the sixteenth century, and may account for certain features 
of the play ; e.g. the introduction in Act I. Sc. iv. of the repre- 
sentatives of the four nationalities,* but it is not at all unlikely 
that Shakespeare was also acquainted with Boccaccio's narra- 
tive. A curious English version appeared in a tract entitled 
" Westward for Smelts," which was published in 1620 ; its chief 
interest lies perhaps in the fact that the story is there associ- 
ated with English history, and referred to the times of Ed- 
ward IV.f 

III. Imogen and Snow-white. Certain elements of the 
plot have still to be accounted for: e.g. (i) the story of the 
wicked step-dame, with her subtle interest in the poisonous 
properties of herbs; (ii) the stealing of the princes, and their 
free life in the wilds and in their cave-home; (iii) Fidele's 
happy life with them in the cave ; its sudden end ; the re-awak- 
ening from death. These, and other points, serve to knit to- 
gether the two main threads of the plot, but they are nowhere 
to be found in Holinshed, nor in Boccaccio, nor in the many 
variants of the "wager-story." The bare enumeration of the 
three elements must, I think, serve to establish Shakespeare's 
obligation to another source, — to a folk-story still among the 
most popular of all nursery tales, — the story of " Little Snow- 
white." The fairy tale as known to modern English children 
has come to them from Germany, but there can be little doubt 

* It is interesting to note that not only was the story of " The Four 
Merchants" well known in Denmark in the XVIth century, but 
during the same century Iceland had ballads and rhymes on the 
same theme ; the writer possesses transcripts of several such ver- 
sions. 

t Malone alludes to an edition of 1603 ; but he probably made a 
mistake ; the book may have existed in manuscript years before its 
publication. 

viii 



that an English " Snow-white " was known to Shakespeare in 
his own youth, and was perhaps even dearer to him than the 
stories of " Childe Eowland " and " Mr. Fox " {vide King Lear, 
III. iv. 188, and Much Ado About Nothing, I. i. 218-220). These 
latter fairy-tales are happily still preserved among the treas- 
ures of "English Fairy Tales": some day perhaps Shake- 
speare's "Snow-white" may be added; one would, however, 
be much surprised if it differed strikingly from the tale so 
dear to us from infancy. 

In the tale as in the play we have (i) a weak king surren- 
dering his child to the tender mercies of a cruel step-mother, 
who, to quote from the popular version, " was a beautiful wo- 
man, but proud and haughty " ; (ii) the cottage of the dwarfs 
which gives Snow-white shelter is described in the best and 
truest versions as a cave in the forest; (iii) Snow-white, hun- 
gry and thirsty, enters the cave uninvited, and is found by the 
kindly dwarfs, much in the same way as Fidele by Belarius, 
Guiderius and Arviragus. "Oh, heavens ! oh, heavens !" cried 
the dwarfs, "what a lovely child ! " " By Jupiter, an Angel!" 

quoth Belarius, 

" or if not, 
An earthly paragon /" 

(iv) The dwarfs said, " If you will take care of our house, cook, 
and make the beds, wash, sew, and knit, you can stay with us 
and you shall want for nothing." Even so was it with Fidele. 

" But his neat cookery ! he cut our roots 
In characters, 

And sauced our broths, as Juno had been sick 
And he her dieter." 

(v) "Snow-white," the story tells us, "kept the house in order 
for them; in the mornings they went to the mountains and 
looked for copper and gold, in the eveniugs they came back, 
and then their supper had to be ready. The girl was alone the 
ix 



Preface. C^m\)CUnC. 

whole day, so the good dwarfs warned her and said, * Beware 
of your step-mother, she will soon know that you are here; be 
sure to let no one come in.' "... The situation is practically 
identical in the play, save that Imogen's wicked step-mother 
need not visit her, for she works her evil power by means of 
the poisoned cordial. Both in the play and in the tale the 
poison sends the victim into a death-like trance, (vi) The 
simple narrative of the nursery story is perhaps the best com- 
mentary on the sweetest scene of the play, the finding of Fidele 
dead — " the bird is dead that we have made so much on " — and the 
burial, the sorrow of the princes, and their dirge. "Snow- 
white was dead, and remained dead. The dwarfs laid her upon 
a bier, and all seven of them sat round it and wept for her, and 
wept three days long. Then they were going to bury her, but 
she still looked as if she were living, and still had her pretty 
red cheeks. They said, ' we cannot bury her in the darJc ground,^ 
and they had a transparent coffin of glass made. They put 
the coffin out upon the mountains, and one of them always 
stayed by it and watched it. And birds came to, and wept for 
Snow-white ; first an owl, then a raven, and last a dove." Be- 
neath all the complexity of plot created by Shakespeare, this 
original can still clearly be detected ; in the play the homely 
robin " the ruddock," does service for the owl, the raven, and 
the dove of the story. The parallels might easily be multi- 
plied. These will perhaps suffice to show that Imogen, " the 
sweetest, fairest lily,^' and Fidele, ^'that sweet rosy lad," owed 
something of their beauty to the child "white as snow, as red 
as blood, and with hair as black as ebony." *' Imogen " is in 
very deed " Snow-white," the best beloved of childhood's hero- 
ines, transfigured as manhood's ideal of all womanly perfection. 

" Hang there like Fruit, my Soul, 
Till the Tree Die." 



CYMBELINE, 



Dramatis PERsoNiC. 



Cymbeline, King of Britain. 
Cloten, son to the Queen by a former husband. 
PosTHUMUS Leonatus, a gentleman, husband to Imogen. 
BELARirs, a banished lord, disguised under the name of 

Morgan. 
GuiDERius, I sons to Cymbeline, disguised under the names of 
Arviragus, / Polydore and Cadwal, supposed sons to Morgan. 
Philario, friend to Posthumus,) y.^,. „„ 
lACHiMO, friend to Philario, J ^**"*^S' 
Caius Lucius, general of the Roman forces. 
PiSANio, servant to Posthumus. 
Cornelius, a physician. 
A Roman Captain. 
Two British Captains. 
A Frenchman, friend to Philario. 
Two Lords of Cymbeline's Court. 
Two Gentlemen of the same. 
Two Gaolers. 

Queen, wife to Cymbeline. 

Imogen, daughter to Cymbeline by a former queen. 
Helen, a lady attending on Imogen. 

Lords, Ladies, Roman Senators, Tribunes, a Soothsayer, a 
Dutchman, a Spaniard, Musicians, Officers, Captains, Sol- 
diers, Messengers, and other Attendants. 

Apparitions. 

SCENE— .Britain ; Home. 



CYMBELINE. 



ACT I. 

SOBNB I. — Britain. The garden of Cymbeline^s 
palace. 

Enter Two Gentlemen. 

First Gent. You do not meet a man but frowns : 
our bloods 
No more obey the heavens than our courtiers 
Still seem as does the king. 

Sec. Gent, But what 's the matter ? 

First Gent. His daughter, and the heir of 's king- 
dom, whom 
He purposed to his wife's sole son — a widow 
That late he married — hath referr'd herself 
Unto a poor but worthy gentleman : she 's wedded ; 
Her husband banish 'd; she imprison 'd : all 
Is outward sorrow ; though I think the king 
Be touch'd at very heart. 

^ec. Gent. None but the king ? lo 

First Gent. He that hath lost her too : so is the 
queen, 
That most desired the match ; but not a courtier, 
Although they wear their faces to the bent 
Of the king's looks, hath a heart that is not 
Glad at the thing they scowl at. 

Sec. Gent. And why so ? [thing 

First Gent. He that hath miss'd the princess is a 
Too bad for bad report : and he that hath her— 
I mean, that married her, alack, good man ! 
And therefore banish 'd — is a creature such 
13 246 



Act L C^m\)c\inc. 

As, to seek through the regions of the earth 20 

For one his like, there would be something failing 
In him that should compare. I do not think 
So fair an outward and such stuff within 
Endows a man but he. 

Sec. Gent. You speak him far. 

First Gent. I do extend him, sir, within himself, 
Crush him together rather than unfold 
His measure duly. 

Sec. Gent. What 's his name and birth ? 

First Gent. I cannot delve him to the root : his 
father 
Was calPd Sicilius, who did join his honour 
Against the Romans with Cassibelan, 30 

But had his titles by Tenantius whom 
He served with glory and admired success, 
So gain'd the sur-addition Leonatus ; 
And had, besides this gentleman in question, 
Two other sons, who in the wars o' the time 
Died with their swords in hand ; for which their 

father. 
Then old and fond of issue, took such sorrow 
That he quit being, and his gentle lady. 
Big of this gentleman our theme, deceased 
As he was born. The king he takes the babe 40 

To his protection, calls him Posthumus Leonatus, 
Breeds him and makes him of his bed-chamber. 
Puts to him all the learnings that his time 
Could make him the receiver of ; which he took. 
As we do air, fast as 't was minister 'd, 
And in 's spring became a harvest, lived in court — 
Which rare it is to do — most praised, most loved, 
A sample to the youngest, to the more mature 
A glass that feated them, and to the graver 
A child that guided dotards ; to his mistress, 50 

For whom he now is banish 'd, her own price 
Proclaims how she esteem 'd him and his virtue; 
By her election may be truly read 
What kind of man he is. 
14 



Sec. Oent. I honour him 

Even out of your report. But, pray you, tell me, 
Is she sole child to the king ? 

First Gent. His only child. 

He had two sons : if this be worth your hearing, 
Mark it : the eldest of them at three years old, 
I' the swathing-clothes the other, from their nursery 
Were stol'n, and to this hour no guess in knowledge 60 
Which way they went. 

Sec. Gent. How long is this ago ? 

First Gent. Some twenty years. [convey 'd, 

Sec. Gent. That a king's children should be so 
So slackly guarded, and the search so slow, 
That coiUd not trace them ! 

First Gent. Howsoe'er 't is strange. 

Or that the negligence may well be laugh 'd at, 
Yet is it true, sir. 

Sec. Gent. I do well believe you. 

First Gent. We must forbear: here comes the 
gentleman, 
The queen, and princess. [Exeunt. 

Enter the Queen, Posthumus, and Imogen. 

Queen. No, be assured you shall not find me, 70 
After the slander of most stepmothers, [daughter, 
Evil-eyed unto you : you 're my prisoner, but 
Your gaoler shall deliver you the keys 
That lock up your restraint. For you, Posthumus, 
So soon as I can win the offended king, 
I will be known your advocate : marry, yet 
The fire of rage is in him, and 't were good 
You lean'd unto his sentence with what patience 
Your wisdom may inform you. 

Post. Please your highness, 

I will from hence to-day. 

Oueen. You know the peril. 80 

I '11 fetch a turn about the garden, pitying 
The pangs of barr'd affections, though the king 
Hath charged you should not speak together. [ExU. 

15 



Act I. 



Ci^mbeltne* 



Imo. Q 

Dissembling courtesy I How fine this tyrant 
Can tickle where she wounds ! My dearest husband, 
I something fear my father's wrath ; but nothing— 
Always reserved my holy duty —what 
His rage can do on me : you must be gone ; 
And I shall here abide the hourly shot 
Of angry eyes, not comforted to live, 90 ' 

But that there is this jewel in the world 
That I may see again. 

^ f^^^' My queen ! my mistress I 

O lady, weep no more, lest I give cause 
To be suspected of more tenderness 
Than doth become a man. I will remain 
The loyal'st husband that did e'er plight troth: 
My residence in Rome at one Philario's, 
Who to my father was a friend, to me 
Known but by letter : thither write, my queen. 
And with mine eyes I '11 drink the words you send, 100 
Though ink be made of gall. 

Be-enter Queen. 
Queen. Be brief, I pray you : 

If the king come, I shall incur I know not 
How much of his displeasure. [Aside] Yet I '11 move 

him 
To walk this way : I never do him wrong. 
But he does buy my injuries, to be friends ; 
Pays dear for my offences. [Exit, 

. \ost. Should we be taking leave 

As long a term as yet we have to live. 
The loathness to depart would grow. Adieu I 

Imo. Nay, stay a little : 
Were you but riding forth to air yourself, no 

Such parting were too petty. Look here, love ; 
This diamond was my mother's : take it, heart ; 
But keep it till you woo another wife. 
When Imogen is dead. 
Post. How, how ! another ? 

16 



C^mbeUne* scene i. 

You gentle gods, give me but this I have, 

And sear up my embracements from a next 

With bonds of death ! [Putting on the ring.] Remain, 

remain thou here 
While sense can keep it on. And, sweetest, fairest, 
As I my poor self did exchange for you. 
To your so infinite loss, so in our trifles 120 

I still win of you : for my sake wear this ; 
It is a manacle of love ; I '11 place it 
Upon this fairest prisoner. 

[Putting a bracelet upon her arm, 
Imo. O the gods I 

When shall we see again ? 

Muter Oymbeline and Lords. 

Post, Alack, the king ! 

Cym. Thou basest thing, avoid ! hence, from my 
sight ! 
If after this command thou fraught the court 
With thy unworthiness, thou diest : away ! 
Thou 'rt poison to my blood. 

Post. The gods protect you 1 

And bless the good remainders of the court ! 
I am gone. [Exit. 

Imo. There cannot be a pinch in death 130 

More sharp than this is. 

Cym, O disloyal thing. 

That shouldst repair my youth, thou heap'st 
A year's age on me. 

Imo. I beseech you, sir, 

Harm not yourself with your vexation : 
1 am senseless of your wrath ; a touch more rare 
Subdues all pangs, all fears. 

Cym. Past grace ? obedience ? 

Imo. Past hope, and in despair; that way, past 
grace. [queen 1 

Cym, That mightst have had the sole son of my 

Imo. O blest, that I might not! I chose an eagle, 
And did avoid a puttock. 140 

35b 17 



Act I. C^mbclinc. 

Cym. Thou took 'st a beggar ; wouldsthave made 
A seat for baseness. [my throne 

Imo. No ; I rather added 

A lustre to it. 

Cym, O thou vile one 1 

Imo. Sir, 

It is your fault that I have loved Posthumus: 
You bred him as my playfellow, and he is 
A man worth any woman, overbuys me 
Almost the sum he pays. 

Cym. "What, art thou mad? 

Imo. Almost, sir : heaven restore me I Would I i 
A neat-herd's daughter, and my Leonatus [were I 
Our neighbour shepherd's son 1 

Cym. Thou foolish thing 1 150 \ 

Be-enter Queen. ^i 

They were again together : you have done 
Not after our command. Away with her, i 

And pen her up. j 

Queen. Beseech your patience. Peace, 

Dear lady daughter, peace ! Sweet sovereign, 
Leave us to ourselves; and make yourself some 
Out of your best advice. [comfort 

Cym. Nay, let her languish 

A drop of blood a day ; and, being aged, 
Die of this folly I [^Jxewit CymheXine and Lords. 

Queen. Fie I you must give way. 

Enter Pisanio. 
Here is your servant. How now, sir 1 What news ? 

Pis. My lord your son drew on my master. 

Queen. Ha! 160 

No harm, I trust, is done? 

Pis. There might have been, 

But that my master rather play'd than fought 
And had no help of anger : they were parted 
By gentlemen at hand. 

Qtieen. I am very glad on 't. 

18 



C^mbeUne* 



Scene n. 



Imo. Your son 's my father's friend ; he takes his 
To draw upon an exile ! O brave sir ! [part. 

I would they were in Af ric both together ; 
Myself by with a needle, that I might prick 
The goer-back. Why came you from your master ? 

Pis. On his command : he would not suffer me 170 
To bring him to the haven ; left these notes 
Of what commands I should be subject to, 
When 't pleased you to employ me. 

Qween. This hath been 

Your faithful servant : I dare lay mine honour 
He will remain so. 

Fis. I humbly thank your highness. 

Queen. Pray, walk awhile. 

Imo. About some half -hour hence, 

I pray you, speak with me : you shall at least 
Go see my lord aboard : for this time leave me. 

[Exeunt. 

SCENE II.— The same. A public place. 

Enter Oloten and two Lords. 

First Lord. Sir, I would advise you to shift a 
shirt ; the violence of action hath made you reek 
as a sacrifice : where air comes out, air comes in : 
there 's none abroad so wholesome as that you vent. 

Clo. If my shirt were bloody, then to shift it. 
Have I hurt him ? 

Sec. Lord. [Asidel NOj 'faith; not so much as 
his patience. 

First Lord. Hurt him ! his body 's a passable car- 
cass, if he be not hurt : it is a throughfare for steel, 10 
if it be not hurt. 

Sec. Lord. [Aside\ His steel was in debt ; it went 
o' the backside the town. 

Clo. The villain would not stand me. 

Sec. Lord. [Aside\ No ; but he fled forward still, 
toward your face. 

First Lord. Stand you I You have land enough 
19 



Act I. C^m\)clinc. 

of your own : but he added to your having ; gave 
you some ground. 

Sec. Lord. [Aside] As many inches as you have 20 
oceans. Puppies ! 

Clo. I would they had not come between us. 

Sec. Lord. [Aside] So would I, till you had meas- 
ured how long a fool you were upon the ground. 

Clo. And that she should love this fellow and re- 
fuse me I 

Sec. Lm-d. [Aside] If it be a sin to make a true 
election, she is damned. 

First Lord. Sir, as I told you always, her beauty 
and her brain go not together: she's a good sign,3o 
but I have seen small reflection of her wit. 

Sec. Lord. [Aside] She shines not upon fools, lest 
the reflection should hurt her. 

Clo. Come, I '11 to my chamber. Would there 
had been some hurt done I 

Sec. Lord. [Aside] I wish not so ; unless it had 
been the fall of an ass, which is no great hurt. 

Clo. You '11 go with us ? 

First Lord. I '11 attend your lordship. 

Clo. Nay, come, let 's go together. 40 

Sec. Lord. Well, my lord. [Exeunt. 

SCENE III. — A room in Cymbeline^s palace. 

Enter Imogen and Pisanio. 
Imo. I would thou grew'st unto the shores o' the 
haven, 
And question 'dst every sail : if he should write, 
And I not have it, 't were a paper lost. 
As ofEer'd mercy is. What was the last 
That he spake to thee ? 
Pis. It was his queen, his queen I 

Imo, Then waved his handkerchief ? 
Pis. And kiss'd it, madam. 

Imo. Senseless linen I happier therein than 1 1 
And that was all ? 

20 



Ci^mbeUne* scene m. 

Pis. No, madam ; for so long 

As he could make me with this eye or ear 
Distinguish him from others, he did keep lo 

The deck, with glove, or hat, or handkerchief, 
Still waving, as the fits and stirs of 's mind 
Could best express how slow his soul saiPd on, 
How swift his ship. 

Imo. Thou shouldst have made him 

As little as a crow, or less, ere left 
To after-eye him. 

Pis. Madam, so I did. 

Imo. I would have broke mine eye-strings ; crack 'd 
To look upon him, till the diminution [them, but 
Of space had pointed him sharp as my needle, 
Kay, folio w'd him, till he had melted from 20 

The smallness of a gnat to air, and then 
Have turn'd mine eye and wept. But, good Pisanio, 
When shall we hear from him ? 

Pis. Be assured, madam, 

With his next vantage. 

Imo. I did not take my leave of him, but had 
Most pretty things to say : ere I could tell him 
How I would think on him at certain hours 
Such thoughts and such, or I could make him swear 
The shes of Italy should not betray 
Mine interest and his honour, or have charged him, 30 
At the sixth hour of morn, at noon, at midnight, 
To encounter me with orisons, for then 
I am in heaven for him ; or ere I could 
Give him that parting kiss which I had set 
Betwixt two charming words, comes in my father 
And like the tyrannous breathing of the north 
Shakes all our buds from growing. 

Enter a Lady. 
Lady. The queen, madam, 

Desires your highness' company. [patch 'd. 

Imo. Those things I bid you do, get them dis- 
I will attend the queen. 

21 



Act I. Cpmbeltne* 

Pis, Madam, I shall. [Exeunt, io 

SCENE IV. —Rome. Philario^s house. 

Enter Philario, lachimo, a Frenchman, a 
Dutchman, and a Spaniard. 

lach. Believe it, sir, I have seen him in Britain : 
he was then of a crescent note, expected to prove so 
worthy as since he hath been allowed the name of ; 
but I could then have looked on him without the help 
of admiration, though the catalogue of his endow- 
ments had been tabled by his side and I to peruse 
him by items. 

Phi. You speak of him when he was less furnished 
than now he is with that which makeshim both with- 
out and within. lo 

French. I have seen him in France : we had very 
many there could behold the sun with as firm eyes 
as he. 

lach. This matter of marrying his king's daughter, 
wherein he must be weighed rather by her value than 
his own, words him, I doubt not, a great deal from 
the matter. 

French. And then his banishment. 

lach. Ay, and the approbation of those that weep 
this lamentable divorce under her colours are won- 20 
derfully to extend him ; be it but to fortify her judg- 
ment, which else an easy battery might lay flat, for 
taking a beggar without less quality. But how comes 
it he is to sojourn with you ? How creeps acquaint- 
ance ? 

Phi. His father and I were soldiers together ; to 
whom I have been often bound for no less than my 
life. Here comes the Briton : let him be so enter- 
tained amongst you as suits, with gentlemen of your 
knowing, to a stranger of his quality. 30 

Enter Posthumus. 
I beseech you all, be better known to this gentle- 



C^mbclinc. 



Scene IV. 



man ; whom I commend to you as a noble friend of 
mine : how worthy he is I will leave to appear here- 
after, rather than story him in his own hearing. 

French. Sir, we have known together in Orleans. 

Post. Since when I have been debtor to you for 
courtesies, which I will be ever to pay and yet pay 
still. 

French. Sir, you o'er-rate my poor kindness: I 
was glad I did atone my countryman and you ; it 40 
had been pity you should have been put together 
with so mortal a purpose as then each bore, upon 
importance of so slight and trivial a nature. 

Post. By your pardon, sir, I was then a young 
traveller ; rather shunned to go even with what I 
heard than in my every action to be guided by 
others' experiences: but upon my mended judg- 
ment — if I offend not to say it is mended — my 
quarrel was not altogether slight. 

French. 'Faith, yes, to be put to the arbitrement 50 
of swords, and by such two that would by all likeli- 
hood have confounded one the other, or have fallen 
both. 

lach. Can we, with manners, ask what was the 
difference ? 

French. Safely, I think : 't was a contention in 
public, which may, without contradiction, suffer 
the report. It was much like an argument that fell 
out last night, where each of us fell in praise of our 
country mistresses ; this gentleman at that time 60 
vouching — and upon warrant of bloody affirma- 
tion — his to be more fair, virtuous, wise, chaste, 
constant-qualified and less attemptable than any 
the rarest of our ladies in France. 

lach. That lady is not now living, or this gentle- 
man's opinion by this worn out. 

. Post, She holds her virtue still and I my mind. 

lach. You must not so far prefer her 'fore ours of 
Italy. 

Post. Being so far provoked as I was in France, 1 70 
23 



Act I. 



C^mbeltne* 



would abate her nothing, though I profess myself 
her adorer, not her friend. 

lack. As fair and as good — a kind of hand-in- 
hand comparison — had been something too fair and 
too good for any lady in Britain. If she went before 
others I have seen, as that diamond of yours out- 
lustres many I have beheld, I could not but believe 
she excelled many : but I have not seen the most 
precious diamond that is, nor you the lady. 

Post. I praised her as I rated her : so do I my stone. 80 

lach. What do you esteem it at ? 

Post. More than the world enjoys. 

lack. Either your unparagoned mistress is dead, 
or she 's outprized by a trifle. 

Post. You are mistaken : the one may be sold, or 
given, if there were wealth enough for the purchase, 
or merit for the gift : the other is not a thing for sale, 
and only the gift of the gods. 

lach. Which the gods have given you ? 

Post. Which, by their graces, I will keep. 9° 

lach. You may wear her in title yours : but, you 
know, strange fowl light upon neighbouring ponds. 
Your ring may be stolen too : so your brace of un- 
prizable estimations; the one is but frail and the 
other casual ; a cunning thief, or a that way ac- 
complished courtier, would hazard the winning 
both of first and last. 

Post. Your Italy contains none so accomplished 
a courtier to convince the honour of my mistress, 
if, in the holding or loss of that, you term her frail. 100 
I do nothing doubt you have store of thieves ; not- 
withstanding, I fear not my ring. 

Phi. Let us leave here, gentlemen. 

Post. Sir, with all my heart. This worthy signior, 
I thank him, makes no stranger of me ; we are fa- 
miliar at first. 

lach. With five times so much conversation, I 
should get ground of your fair mistress, make her 
24 



C^mbclinc. 



Scene IV. 



go back, even to the yielding, had I admittance 
and opportunity to friend. no 

Post. No, no. 

lach. I dare thereupon pawn the moiety of my 
estate to your ring; which, in my opinion, o'er- 
values it something : but I make my wager rather 
against your confidence than her reputation : and, 
to bar your offence herein too, I durst attempt it 
against any lady in the world. 

Post. You are a great deal abused in too bold a 
persuasion; and I doubt not you sustain what 
you 're worthy of by your attempt. 120 

lach. What 's that '? 

Post. A repulse: though your attempt, as you 
call it, deserve more; a punishment too. 

Phi. Gentlemen, enough of this : it came in too 
suddenly ; let it die as it was born, and, I pray you, 
be better acquainted. 

lach. Would I had put my estate and my neigh- 
bour's on the approbation of what I have spoke ! 

Post. What lady would you choose to assail ? 

lach. Yours; whom in constancy you think 130 
stands so safe. I will lay you ten thousand ducats 
to your ring, that, commend me to the court where 
your lady is, with no more advantage than the op- 
portunity of a second conference, and I will bring 
from thence that honour of hers which you imagine 
so reserved. 

Post. I will wage against your gold, gold to it : 
my ring I hold dear as my finger ; 't is part of it. 

lach. You are afraid, and therein the wiser. If 
you buy ladies' flesh at a million a dram, you can- 140 
not preserve it from tainting : but I see you have 
some religion in you, that you fear. 

Post. This is but a custom in your tongue ; you 
bear a graver purpose, I hope. 

Ia.ch. I am the master of my speeches, and would 
undergo what 's spoken, I swear. 

Post. Will you? I shall but lend my diamond 

25 



Act I. 



C^mbeltne* 



till your return : let there be covenants drawn be- 
tween 's : my mistress exceeds in goodness the huge- 
ness of your unworthy thinking: I dare you to thisiso 
match : here 's my ring. 

Phi. I will have it no lay. 

lach. By the gods, it is one. If I bring you no 
sufficient testimony that I have enjoyed the dearest 
bodily part of your mistress, my ten thousand 
ducats are yours ; so is your diamond too ; if I come 
off, and leave her in such honour as you have trust 
in, she your jewel, this your jewel, and my gold 
are yours : provided I have your commendation for 
my more free entertainment. i6o 

Post. I embrace these conditions; let us have 
articles betwixt us. Only, thus far you shall 
answer: if you make your voyage upon her and 

five me directly to understand you have prevailed, 
am no further your enemy ; she is not worth our 
debate : if she remain unseduced, you not making 
it appear otherwise, for your ill opinion and the 
assault you have made to her chastity you shall 
answer me with your sword. 

lach. Your hand; a covenant: we will have 170 
these things set down by lawful counsel, and 
straight away for Britain, lest the bargain should 
catch cold and starve: I will fetch my gold and 
have our two wagers recorded. 

Post. Agreed. 

[Exeunt Posthumus and lachimo. 

French. Will this hold, think you ? 

Phi. Siguier lachimo will not from it. Pray, 
let us follow 'em. [Exeunt. 

SCENE V. — Britain. A room in Cymbeline'^spal^we. 

Enter Queen, Ladies, and Cornelius. 
Queen. Whiles yet the dew 's on ground, gather 
those flowers ; 
Make haste : who has the note of them ? 
26 



C^mbeltne, ^^'^^ ^ 

First Lady. I, madam. 

Queen, Dispatch. [Exeunt Ladies. 

Now, master doctor, have you brought those drugs ? 

Cor. Pleaseth your highness, ay : here they are, 
madam : [Presenting a small box. 

But I beseech your grace, without offence, — 
My conscience bids me ask — wherefore you have 
Commanded of me these most poisonous com- 
pounds, 
Which are the movers of a languishing death ; 
But though slow, deadly ? 

Queen. I wonder, doctor, lo 

Thou ask'st me such a question. Have I not been 
Thy pupil long ? Hast thou not learn'd me how 
To make perfumes ? distil ? preserve ? yea, so 
That our great king himself doth woo me oft 
For my confections ? Having thus far proceeded, — 
Unless thou think 'st me devilish — is 't not meet 
That I did amplify my judgment in 
Other conclusions ? I will try the forces 
Of these thy compounds on such creatures as 
We count not worth the hanging, but none human, 20 
To try the vigour of them and apply 
Allay ments to their act, and by them gather 
Their several virtues and effects. 

Cor. Your highness 

Shall from this practice but make hard your heart : 
Besides, the seeing these effects will be 
Both noisome and infectious. 

Queen. O, content thee. 

Enter Pisanio. 
Aside] Here comes a flattering rascal ; upon him 

ill I first work : he 's for his master. 
And enemy to my son. How now, Pisanio ! 
Doctor, your service for this time is ended ; 30 

Take yom* own way. 

Cor. [Aside] I do suspect you, madam; 

But you shall do no harm. 
27 



^ 



Act I. Ci^mbeltnc^ 

Omen. \To Pisanio] Hark thee, a word, [she has 

Cor. [Aside] I do not like her. She doth think 
Strange lingering poisons : I do know her spirit, 
And will not trust one of her malice with 
A drug of such damn'd nature. Those she has 
Will stupify and dull the sense awhile ; [dogs, 

Which first, perchance, she'll prove on cats and 
Then afterward up higher : but there is 
No danger in what show of death it makes, 40 

More than the locking-up the spirits a time, 
To be more fresh, reviving. She is fool'd 
With a most false effect ; and I the truer, 
So to be false with her. 

Queen, No further service, doctor, 

Until I send for thee. 

Cor. I humbly take my leave. [Exit. 

Queen. Weeps she still, say'st thou ? Dost thou 
think in time 
She will not quench and let instructions enter 
Where folly now possesses ? Do thou work : 
When thou shalt bring me word she loves my son, 
I '11 tell thee on the instant thou art then 50 

As great as is thy master, greater, for 
His fortunes all lie speechless and his name 
Is at last gasp: return he cannot, nor 
Continue where he is : to shift his being 
Is to exchange one misery with another, 
And every day that comes comes to decay 
A day's work in him. What shalt thou expect. 
To be depender on a thing that leans, 
Who cannot be new built, nor has no friends. 
So much as but to prop him ? [The Queen drops the 

box: Pisanio takes it up.] Thou takest up 60 
Thou know'st not what ; but take it for thy labour : 
It is a thing I made, which hath the king 
Five times redeem 'd from death : I do not know 
What is more cordial. Nay, I prithee, take it; 
It is an earnest of a further good 
That I mean to thee. Tell thy mistress how 
28 



C^mbeUne* scene vi. 

The case stands with her; do 't as from thyself. 

Think what a chance thou changest on, but think 

Thou hast thy mistress still, to boot, my son. 

Who shall take notice of thee : I '11 move the king 70 

To any shape of thy preferment such 

As thou 'It desire ; and then myself, I chiefly, 

That set thee on to this desert, am bound 

To load thy merit richly. Call my women : 

Think on my words. [Exit Pisanio, 

A sly and constant knave. 
Not to be shaked ; the agent for his master 
And the remembrancer of her to hold 
The hand-fast to her lord. I have given him that 
Which, if he take, shall quite unpeople her 
Of liegers for her sweet, and which she after, 80 

Except she bend her humour, shall be assured 
To taste of too. 

Be-enter Pisanio and Ladies. 

So, so: well done, well done: 
The violets, cowslips, and the primroses. 
Bear to my closet. Fare thee well, Pisanio ; 
Think on my words. [Exeunt Queen and Ladies, 

Pis. And shall do : 

But when to my good lord I prove untrue, 
I '11 choke myself : there 's all I '11 do for you. [Exit. 

SCENE VI.— The same. Another room in the 
palace. 

Enter Imogen. 
Imo. A father cruel, and a step-dame false; 
A foolish suitor to a wedded lady. 
That hath her husband banish 'd ;— O, that husband! 
My supreme crown of grief ! and those repeated 
Vexations of it ! Had I been thief-stol'n, 
As my two brothers, happy ! but most miserable 
Is the desire that 's glorious : blest be those. 
How mean soe'er, that have their honest wills, 
29 347 



Act I. C^mbeline. 

Which seasons comfort. Who may this be ? Fie I 
Enter Pisanio and lachimo. 

Fis. Madam, a noble gentleman of Rome, lo 

Comes from my lord with letters. 

lach. Change you, madam ? 

The worthy Leonatus is in safety 
And greets your highness dearly. [Presents a letter. 

Imo. Thanks, good sir ; 

You 're kindly welcome. [rich I 

lack. [Aside] All of her that is out of door most 
If she be furnish 'd with a mind so rare. 
She is alone the Arabian bird, and I 
Have lost the wager. Boldness be my friend 1 
Arm me, audacity, from head to foot I 
Or, like the Parthian, I shall flying fight; 20 

Rather, directly fly. 

Imo. [Reads] * He is one of the noblest note, to 
whose kindnesses I am most infinitely tied. Reflect 
upon him accordingly, as you value your trust — 

Leonatus.' 
So far I read aloud : 
But even the very middle of my heart 
Is warm'd by the rest, and takes it thankfully. 
You are as welcome, worthy sir, as I 
Have words to bid you, and shall find it so 
In all that I can do. 

lach. Thanks, fairest lady. 30 

What, are men mad? Hath nature given them eyes 
To see this vaulted arch, and the rich crop 
Of sea and land, which can distinguish 'twixt 
The fiery orbs above and the twinn'd stones 
Upon the number'd beach ? and can we not 
Partition make with spectacles so precious 
'Twixt fair and foul ? 

Imo, What makes your admiration ? 

lack. It cannot be i' the eye, for apes and monkeys 
'Twixt two such shes would chatter this way and 
Contemn with mows the other ; nor i' the judgment,4o 

30 



C^mbClinC. scene VI. 

For idiots in this case of favour would 
Be wisely definite ; nor i' the appetite ; 
Sluttery to such neat excellence opposed 
Should make desire vomit emptiness, 
Not so allured to feed. 

Imo. What is the matter, trow ? 

lack. The cloyed will. 

That satiate yet unsatisfied desire, that tub 
Both fill'd and running, ravening first the lamb 
Longs after for the garbage. 

Imo. What, dear sir. 

Thus raps you ? Are you well ? 50 

lack. Thanks, madam : well. [To Pisanid] Be- 
seech you, sir, desire 
My man's abode where I did leave him : he 
Is strange and peevish. 

Pis. I was going, sir. 

To give him welcome. [Exit. 

Imo. Continues well my lord ? His health, be- 
seech you ? 

lack. Well, madam. 

Imo. Is he disposed to mirth ? I hope he is. 

lach. Exceeding pleasant ; none a stranger there 
So merry and so gamesome: he is call'd 
The Briton reveller. 

Imo. When he was here, 60 

He did incline to sadness, and oft-times 
Not knowing why. 

lach. I never saw him sad. 

There is a Frenchman his companion, one 
An eminent Monsieur, that, it seems, much loves 
A Gallian girl at home ; he furnaces 
The thick sighs from him, whiles the jolly Briton — 
Your lord, I mean — laughs from 's free lungs, cries 

'O, 
Can my sides hold, to think that man, who knows 
By history, report, or his own proof. 
What woman is, yea, what she cannot choose 70 

But must be, will his free hours languish for 

31 



Act I. C^mbeltne* 

Assured bondage ? ' 

Imo. "Will my lord say so ? 

lach. Ay, madam, with his eyes in flood with 
It is a recreation to be by [laughter : 

And hear him mock the Frenchman. But, heavens 
Some men are much to blame. [know, 

Imo, Not he, I hope. 

lach. Not he: but yet heaven's bounty towards 
him might 
Be used more thankfully. In himself, 't is much ; 
In you, which I account his beyond all talents, 
Whilst I am bound to wonder, I am bound 8c 

To pity too. 

Imo. What do you pity, sir ? 

lach. Two creatures heartily. 

Imo. Am I one, sir? 

You look on me : what wreck discern you in me 
Deserves your pity ? 

lach. Lamentable ! What, 

To hide me from the radiant sun and solace 
I' the dungeon by a snuff ? 

Imo. I pray you, sir, 

Deliver with more openness your answers 
To my demands. Why do you pity me ? 

lach. That others do — 

I was about to say — enjoy your But 9° 

It is an office of the gods to venge it. 
Not mine to speak on 't. 

Imo. You do seem to know 

Something of me, or what concerns me : pray you,— 
Since douoting things go ill often hurts more 
Than to be sure they do ; for certainties 
Either are past remedies, or, timely knowing. 
The remedy then born — discover to me 
What both you spur and stop. 

lach. Had I this cheek 

To bathe my lips upon; this hand, whose touch. 
Whose every touch, would force the feeler's soul loo 
To the oath of loyalty ; this object, which 
32 



(Tpmbeltne^ scene vi. 

Takes prisoner the wild motion of mine eye, 

Fixing it only here ; should I, damn'd then, 

Slaver with lips as common as the stairs 

That mount the Capitol ; join gripes with hands 

Made hard with hourly falsehood— falsehood, as 

With labour ; then by-peeping in an eye 

Base and unlustrous as the smoky light 

That 's fed with stinking tallow ; it were fit 

That all the plagues of hell should at one time ii» 

Encounter such revolt. 

Imo. My lord, I fear, 

Has forgot Britain. 

lach. And himself. Not 1, 

Inclined to this intelligence, pronounce 
The beggary of his change ; but 't is your graces 
That from my mutest conscience to my tongue 
Charms this report out. 

Imo. Let me hear no more. 

lack. O dearest soul ! your cause doth strike my 
heart 
With pity, that doth make me sick. A lady 
So fair, and fasten 'd to an empery, [ner'd 

Would make the great 'st king double,— to be part-120 
With tomboys hired with that self -exhibition 
Which your own coffers yield ! with diseased ven- 
tures 
That play with all infirmities for gold 
Which rottenness can lend nature! such boiPd stuff 
As well might poison poison ! Be revenged ; 
Or she that bore you was no queen, and you 
Kecoil from your great stock. 

Imo. Revenged I 

How should I be revenged ? If this be true, — 
As I have such a heart that both mine ears 
Must not in haste abuse — if it be true, 130 

How should I be revenged ? 

lach. Should he make me 

Live, like Diana's priest, betwixt cold sheets, 
Whiles he is vaulting variable ramps, 

35c ' ZZ 



Act I. Ci^mbeline^ 

In your despite, upon your purse ? Kevenge it. 
I dedicate myself to your sweet pleasure, 
More noble than that runagate to your bed, 
And will continue fast to your affection, 
Still close as sure. 

Imo, What, ho, Pisanio ! 

lach. Let me my service tender on your lips. 

Imo. Away ! I do condemn mine ears that have 140 
So long attended thee. If thou wert honourable, 
Thou wouldst have told this tale for virtue, not 
For such an end thou seek'st, — as base as strange. 
Thou wrong'st a gentleman, who is as far 
From thy report as thou from honour, and 
Solicit 'st here a lady that disdains 
Thee and the devil alike. What ho, Pisanio I 
The king my father shall be made acquainted 
Of thy assault : if he shall think it fit, 
A saucy stranger in his court to mart 150 

As in a Romish stew and to expound 
His beastly mind to us, he hath a court 
He little cares for and a daughter who 
He not respects at all. What, ho, Pisanio I 

lach. O happy Leonatus ! I may say : 
The credit that thy lady hath of thee 
Deserves thy trust, and thy most perfect goodness 
Her assured credit. Blessed live you long ! 
A lady to the worthiest sir that ever 
Country call'd his ! and you his mistress, only 160 
For the most worthiest fit ! Give me your pardon, 
I have spoke this, to know if your affiance 
Were deeply rooted ; and shall make your lord, 
That which he is, new o'er: and he is one 
The truest manner'd ; such a holy witch 
That he enchants societies into him ; 
Half all men's hearts are his. 

Imo. You make amends^ 

lach. He sits 'mongst men like a descended god: 
He hath a kind of honour sets him off, 
More than a mortal seeming. Be not angry, 170 

34 



(Ti^mbeline* ^^^^^ v^- 

Most mighty princess, that I have adventured 
To try your taking of a false report ; which hath 
Honour 'd with confirmation your great judgment 
In the election of a sir so rare, 
Which you know cannot err : the love I bear him 
Made me to fan you thus, but the gods made you, 
Unlike all others, chaffless. Pray, your pardon. 

Imo. All 's well, sir : take my power i' the court 
for yours. 

lach. My humble thanks. I had almost forgot 
To entreat your grace but in a small request, i8o 

And yet of moment too, for it concerns 
Your lord ; myself and other noble friends, 
Are partners in the business. 

Imo. Pray, what is 't ? 

lach. Some dozen Komans of us and your lord — 
The best feather of our wing — have mingled sums 
To buy a present for the emperor; 
Which I, the factor for the rest, have done 
In France : 't is plate of rare device, and jewels 
Of rich and exquisite form ; their values great ; 
And I am something curious, being strange, 190 

To have them in safe stowage : may it please you 
To take them in protection ? 

Imo. Willingly ; 

And pawn mine honour for their safety : since 
My lord hath interest in them, I will keep them 
In my bedchamber. 

lach. They are in a trunk, 

Attended by my men : I will make bold 
To send them to you, only for this night: 
I must aboard to-morrow. 

Imo. O, no, no. 

lach. Yes, I beseech ; or I shall short my \C^ord 
By lengthening my return. From Gallia 200 

I cross'd the seas on purpose and on promise 
To see your grace. 

Imo. I thank you for your pains : 

But not away to-morrow I 
35 



Act 11. Ci^mbcltne* 

lach. O, I must, madam: 

Therefore I shall beseech you, if you please 
To greet your lord with writing, do 't to-night : 
I have outstood my time ; which is material 
To the tender of our present. 

Imo. I will write. 

Send your trunk to me; it shall safe be kept, 
And truly yielded you. You 're very welcome. 

[Exeunt, 



ACT 11. 

SCENE I. — Britain. Before Cynibeline^s palace. 

Enter Oloten and two Lords. 

Clo. Was there ever man had such luck ! when I 
kissed the jack, upon an up-cast to be hit away! I 
had a hundred pound on 't : and then a whoreson 
jackanapes must take me up for swearing; as if I 
borrowed mine oaths of him and might not spend 
them at my pleasure. 

First Lord. What got he by that? You have 
broke his pate with your bowl. 

Sec. Lord. [Aside] If his wit had been like him 
that broke it, it would have run all out. lo 

Clo. When a gentleman is disposed to swear, it 
is not for any standers-by to curtail his oaths, ha ? 

Sec. Lord. No, my lord; [Aside] nor crop the 
ears of them. 

Clo. Whoreson dog! I give him satisfaction? 
Would he had been one of my rank ! 

^ec. Lord. [Aside] To have smelt like a fool. 

Clo. I am not vexed more at any thing in the 
earth : a pox on 't ! I had rather not be so noble as 
I am; they dare not fight with me, because of the 20 

36 



Cl^mbeltne* ^^^^^ ^ 

?ueen my mother : every Jack-slave hath his belly- 
ul of fighting, and I must go up and down like a 
cock that nobody can match. 

Sec. Lord. [Aside] You are cock and capon too ; 
and you crow, cock, with your comb on. 

Glo. Say est thou r 

Sec. Lord. It is not fit your lordship should under- 
take every companion that you give offence to. 

Clo. No, I know that : but it is fit I should com- 
mit offence to my inferiors. 30 

Sec. Lord. Ay, it is fit for your lordship only. 

Clo. Why, so I say. 

First Lord. Did you hear of a stranger that 's 
come to court to-night ? 

Clo. A stranger, and I not know on 't ! 

Sec. Lord. [Aside] He 's a strange fellow himself, 
and knows it not. 

First Lord. There 's an Italian come ; and, 't is 
thought, one of Leonatus' friends. 

Clo. Leonatus! a banished rascal; and he '340 
another, whatsoever he be. Who told you of this 
stranger ? 

First Lord. One of your lordship's pages. 

Clo. Is it fit I went to look upon him ? is there 
no derogation in 't ? 

Sec. Lm'd. You cannot derogate, my lord. 

Clo. Not easily, I think. 

Sec. Lord. [Aside] You are a fool granted ; there- 
fore your issues, being foolish, do not derogate. 

Clo. Come, I '11 go see this Italian : what I haveso 
lost to-day at bowls I '11 win to-night of him. 
Come, go. 

Sec. Lord. I '11 attend your lordship. 

[Exeunt Cloten and First Lord. 
That such a crafty devil as is his mother 
Should yield the world this ass ! a woman that 
Bears all down with her brain ; and this her son 
Cannot take two from twenty, for his heart, 
And leave eighteen. Alas, poor princess, 

37 



Act II. C^mbeltne^ 

Thou divine Imogen, what thou endurest, 

Betwixt a father by thy step-dame govern 'd, 60 

A mother hourly coining plots, a wooer 

More hateful than the foul expulsion is 

Of thy dear husband, than that horrid act 

Of the divorce he 'Id make ! The heavens hold firm 

The walls of thy dear honour, keep unshaked 

That temple, thy fair mind, that thou mayst stand, 

To enjoy thy banish 'd lord and this great land ! 

[Exit. 

SCENE II. — Irmgen's bedchamber in Gymbeline'*s 
'palace : a trunk in one corner of it. 

Imogen in bed, reading ; a Lady attending. 

Imo. Who 's there ? my woman Helen ? 

Lady. Please you, madam. 

Imo. What hour is it ? 

Lady. Almost midnight, madam. 

Imo. 1 have read three hours then: mine eyes 
are weak : 
Fold down the leaf where I have left : to bed : 
Take not away the taper, leave it burning ; 
And if thou canst awake by four o' the clock, 
I prithee, call me. Sleep hath seized me wholly. 

[Exit Lady, 
To your protection I commend me, gods. 
From fairies and the tempters of the night 
Guard me, beseech ye. 10 

[Sleeps. lachimo comes from the trunk. 

lach. The crickets sing, and man's o'er-labour'd 
Repairs itself by rest. Our Tarquin thus [sense 
Did softly press the rushes, ere he waken 'd 
The chastity he wounded. Cytherea, 
How bravely thou becomest thy bed, fresh lily. 
And whiter than the sheets ! That I might touch! 
But kiss; one kiss! Rubies unparagon'd. 
How dearly they do 't I 'T is her breathing that 

38 



C^mbclinc. 



Scene 11. 



Perfumes the chamber thus : the flame o' the taper 
Bows toward her, and would under-peep her lids, 20 
To see the enclosed lights, now canopied 
Under these windows, white and azure laced 
With blue of heaven's own tinct. But my design, 
To note the chamber : I will write all down : 
Such and such pictures ; there the window ; such 
The adornment of her bed ; the arras ; figures. 
Why, such and such ; and the contents 0' the story. 
Ah, but some natural notes about her body, 
Above ten thousand meaner movables 
Would testify, to enrich mine inventory. 30 

O sleep, thou ape of death, lie dull upon her ! 
And be her sense but as a monument, 
Thus in a chapel lying ! Come off, come off : 

[Taking off her bracelet. 
As slippery as the Gordian knot was hard ! 
'T is mine ; and this will witness outwardly, 
As strongly as the conscience does within, 
To the madding of her lord. On her left breast 
A mole cinque-spotted, like the crimson drops 
I' the bottom of a cowslip ; here 's a voucher, 
Stronger than ever law could make : this secret 40 
Will force him think I have pick'd the lock and ta'en 
The treasure of her honour. Ko more. To what 

end? 
Why should I write this down, that's riveted, 
Screw 'd to my memory ? She hath been reading late 
The tale of Tereus ; here the leaf 's turn'd down 
Where Philomel gave up. I have enough : 
To the trunk again, and shut the spring of it. 
Swift, swift, you dragons of the night, that dawning 
May bare the raven's eye ! I lodge in fear ; 
Though this a heavenly angel, hell is here. 50 

[Clock strikes. 
One, two, three : time, time ! 

[Goes into the trunk. The scene closes. 

39 



Act II. C^mbeltne* 

SCENE III. — An ante-chamber adjoining Imogen'' s 
apartments. 

Enter Oloten and Lords. 

First Lord. Your lordship is the most patient 
man in loss, the most coldest that ever turned up 

Clo. It would make any man cold to lose. [ace. 

First Lord. But not every man patient after the 
noble temper of your lordship. You are most hot 
and furious when you win. 

Clo. Winning will put any man into courage. If 
I could get this foolish Imogen, I should have gold 
enough. It 's almost morning, is 't not ? 

First Lord. Day, my lord. lo 

Clo. 1 would this music would come : I am ad- 
vised to give her music o' mornings ; they say it 
will penetrate. 

JEnter Musicians. 

Come on ; tune : if you can penetrate her with your 
fingering, so ; we '11 try with tongue too : if none 
will do, let her remain ; but I '11 never give o'er. 
First, a very excellent good conceited thing ; after, 
a wonderful sweet air, with admirable rich words 
to it : and then let her consider. 

SONG. 
Hark, hark ! the lark at heaven's gate sings, 20 

And Phoebus 'gins arise. 
His steeds to water at those springs 

On chaliced flowers that lies ; 
And winking Mary-buds begin 

To ope their golden eyes : 
With every thing that pretty is. 

My lady sweet, arise : 
Arise, arise. 

Clo. So, get you gone. If this penetrate, I will 
consider your music the better: if it do not, it is a30 
40 



Ci^mbeltne. scene m. 

vice in her ears, which horse-hairs and calves'-guts, 
nor the voice of unpaved eunuch to boot, can never 
amend. [Exeunt Musicians. 

ISec, Lord. Here comes the king. 

Clo. I am glad I was up so late ; for that 's the 
reason I was up so early : he cannot choose but take 
this service I have done fatherly. 

Enter Csnnbeline and Queen. 
Good morrow to your majesty and to my gracious 
mother. 

Ci/m. Attend you here the door of our stern 40 
Will she not forth ? [daughter ? 

Clo. I have assailed her with music, but she 
vouchsafes no notice. 

Cym. The exile of her minion is too new ; 
She hath not yet forgot him : some more time 
Must wear the print of his remembrance out, 
And then she 's yours. 

Queen. You are most bound to the king, 

Who lets go by no vantages that may 
Prefer you to his daughter. Frame yourself 
To orderly soliciting, and be friended 
With aptness of the season ; make denials 50 

Increase your services ; so seem as if 
You were inspired to do those duties which 
You tender to her ; that you in all obey her, 
Save when command to your dismission tends, 
And therein you are senseless. 

Clo. Senseless! not so. 

Enter a Messenger. 

Mess. So like you, sir, ambassadors from Rome ; 
The one is Caius Lucius. 

Cym. A worthy fellow. 

Albeit he comes on angry purpose now ; 
But that 's no fault of his : we must receive him 
According to the honour of his sender ; 60 

And towards himself, his goodness forespent on us, 

41 



Act 11. C^mbeltne* 

We must extend our notice. Our dear son, [tress, 
When you have given good morning to your mis- 
Attend the queen and us ; we shall have need 
To employ you towards this Roman. Come, our 
queen. [Exeunt all hut Cloten. 

Clo. If she be up, I '11 speak with her ; if not. 
Let her lie still and dream. [Knocks] By your 
I know her women are about her : what [leave, ho ! 
If I do line one of their hands ? 'T is gold [makes 
Which buys admittance; oft it doth; yea, and 70 
Diana's rangers false themselves, yield up 
Their deer to the stand o' the stealer ; and 't is gold 
Which makes the true man kill'd and saves the 

thief; 
Nay, sometime hangs both thief and true man; 
Can it not do and undo ? I will make [what 

One of her women lawyer to me, for 
I yet not understand the case myself. 
[Knocks] By your leave. 

Unter a Lady. 

Lady. Who 's there that knocks ? 

Clo. A gentleman. 

Lady. No more ? 

Clo. Yes, and a gentlewoman's son. 

Lady. That 's more 80 

Than some, whose tailors are as dear as yours, 
Can justly boast of. What 's your lordship's pleas- 

Clo. Your lady's person : is she ready ? [ure ? 

Lady. Ay, 

To keep her chamber. 

Clo. There is gold for you ; 

Sell me your good report. 

Lady. How ! my good name ? or to report of you 
What I shall think is good ? — The princess ! 

Miter Imogen. 
Clo. Good morrow, fairest: sister, your sweet 
hand. [Exit Lady, 

42 



Imo. Good morrow, sir. You lay out too much 
pains 
For purchasing but trouble : the thanks I give 90 
Is telling you that I am poor of thanks 
And scarce can spare them. 

do. Still, I swear I love you. 

Imo. If you but said so, 't were as deep with me : 
If you swear still, your recompense is still 
That I regard it not. 

Clo. This is no answer, [silent, 

Imo. But that you shall not say I yield being 
I would not speak. I pray you, spare me : 'faith, 
I shall unfold equal discourtesy 
To your best kindness : one of your great knowing 
Should learn, being taught, forbearance. 100 

Clo. To leave you in your madness, 'twere my 
I will not. [sin : 

Imo. Fools are not mad folks. 

Clo. Do you call me fool ? 

Imo. As I am mad, I do : 
If you '11 be patient, I '11 no more be mad; 
That cures us both. I am much sorry, sir, 
You put me to forget a lady's manners. 
By being so verbal : and learn now, for all. 
That I, which know my heart, do here pronounce. 
By the very truth of it, I care not for you, no 

And am so near the lack of charity — 
To accuse myself — I hate you ; which I had rather 
You felt than make 't my boast. 

Clo. You sin against 

Obedience, which you owe your father. For 
The contract you pretend with that base wretch. 
One bred of alms and foster'd with cold dishes. 
With scraps 0' the court, it is no contract, none : 
And though it be allow'd in meaner parties — 
Yet who than he more mean ? — to knit their souls, 
On whom there is no more dependency 120 

But brats and beggary, in self -figured knot : 
Yet you are curb'd from that enlargement by 

• 43 



Act iL c^mbeltne. 

The consequence o'»the crown, and must not soil 
The precious note of it with a base slave, 
A hikling for a livery, a squire's cloth, 
A pantler, not so eminent. 

Imo. Profane fellow ! 

Wert thou the son of Jupiter and no more 
But what thou art besides, thou wert too base 
To be his groom : thou wert dignified enough, 
Even to the point of envy, if 't were made 130 

Comparative for your virtues, to be styled 
The under-haugman of his kingdom, and hated 
For being preferr'd so well. 

Clo, The south-fog rot him I 

Imo. He never can meet more mischance than 
come 
To be but named of thee. His meanest garment, 
That ever hath but clipp'd his body, is dearer 
In my respect than all the hairs above thee, 
Were they all made such men. How now, Pisanio I 

Entefr Pisanio. 

Clo. ' His garment ! ' Now the devil — 

Imo. To Dorothy my woman hie thee presently — 140 

Clo. * His garment ! ' 

Imo. I am sprited with a fool. 

Frighted, and anger'd worse : go bid my woman 
Search for a jewel that too casually 
Hath left mine arm : it was thy master's : 'shrew me, 
If I would lose it for a revenue 
Of any king's in Europe. I do think 
I saw 't this morning : confident I am 
Last night 'twas on mine arm; I kiss'd it: 
I hope it be not gone to tell my lord 
That I kiss aught but he. 

Fis. 'T will not be lost. 150 

Imo, I hope so : go and search. [Exit Pisanio. 

Clo. You have abused me : 

' His meanest garment I ' 

44 



I 



C^mbeltne* scene iv. 

Imo. Ay, I said so, sir: 

If you will make 't an action, call witness to 't. 

Clo. I will inform your father. 

Imo. Your mother too : 

She 's my good lady, and will conceive, I hope, 
But the worst of me. So, I leave you, sir, 
To the worst of discontent. [Exit, 

Clo. I '11 be revenged : 

' His meanest garment! ' Well. [_ExiU 

SCENE IV.— jBome. Philario^s house. 

Enter Posthumus and Philario. 

Post. Fear it not, sir : I would I were so sure 
To win the king as I am bold her honour 
Will remain hers. 

Phi. What means do you make to him ? 

Post. Kot any, but abide the change of time, 
Quake in the present winter's state and wish 
That warmer days would come : in these sear'd 
I barely gratify your love ; they failing, [hopes, 
I must die much your debtor. 

Phi. Your very goodness and your company 
O'erpays all I can do. By this, your king lo 

Hath heard of great Augustus : Caius Lucius 
Will do 's commission throughly : and I think 
He '11 grant the tribute, send the arrearages, 
Or look upon our Romans, whose remembrance 
Is yet fresh in their grief. 

Post. I do believe, 

Statist though I am none, nor like to be. 
That this will prove a war ; and you shall hear 
The legions now in Gallia sooner landed 
In our not-fearing Britain than have tidings 
Of any penny tribute paid. Our countrymen 20 

Are men more order'd than when Julius Caesar 
Smiled at their lack of skill, but found their courage 
Worthy his frowning at : their discipline, 

45 248 



Act iL Ci^mbeUne* 

Now mingled with their courage, will make known 
To their approvers they are people such 
That mend upon the world. 

Enter lachimo. 

Phi. See! lachimo 1 

Post. The swiftest harts have posted you by land ; 
And winds of all the corners kiss'd your sails, 
To make your vessel nimble. 

Phi. Welcome, sir. 

Post. I hope the briefness of your answer made 30 
The speediness of your return. 

lanh. Your lady 

Is one of the fairest that I have look'd upon. 

Post. And therewithal the best ; or let her beauty 
Look through a casement to allure false hearts 
And be false with them. 

lach. Here are letters for you. 

Post. Their tenour good, I trust. 

lach. 'T is very like. 

Phi. Was Caius Lucius in the Britain court 
When you were there ? 

lach. He was expected then, 

But not approach 'd. 

Post. All is well yet. 

Sparkles this stone as it was wont ? or is 't not 40 
Too dull for your good wearing ? 

lach. If I had lost it, 

I should have lost the worth of it in gold. 
I '11 make a journey twice as far, to enjoy 
A second night of such sweet shortness which 
Was mine in Britain, for the ring is won. 

Post. The stone 's too hard to come by. 

lach. Not a whit. 

Your lady being so easy. 

Post. Make not, sir. 

Your loss your sport : I hope you know that we 
Must not continue friends. 

lach. Good sir, we must, 

46 



C^mbClinC. scene IV. 

If you keep covenant. Had I not brought 50 

The knowledge of your mistress home, I grant 
We were to question further : but I now 
Profess myself the winner of her honour, 
Together with your ring ; and not the wronger 
Of her or you, having proceeded but 
By both your wills. 

Post. If you can make 't apparent 

That you have tasted her in bed, my hand 
And ring is yours ; if not, the foul opinion 
You had of her pure honour gains or loses 
Your sword or mine, or masterless leaves both 60 
To who shall find them. 

lach. Sir, my circumstances, 

Being so near the truth as I will make them. 
Must first induce you to believe : whose strength 
I will confirm with oath ; which, I doubt not, 
You '11 give me leave to spare, when you shall find 
You need it not. 

Post. Proceed. 

lach. First, her bedchamber, — 

Where, I confess, I slept not, but profess 
Had that was well worth watching — it was hang'd 
With tapestry of silk and silver ; the story 
Proud Cleopatra, when she met her Roman, 70 

And Cydnus swell'd above the banks, or for 
The press of boats or pride : a piece of work 
So bravely done, so rich, that it did strive 
In w^orkmanship and value ; which I wonder'd 
Could be so rarely and exactly wrought. 
Since the true life on 't was — 

Post. This is true ; 

And this you might have heard of here, by me, 
Or by some other. 

lach. More particulars 

Must justify my knowledge. 

Post. So they must, 

Or do your honour injury. 

lach. The chimney 80 

47 



Act II. d^^mbeltne* 

Is south the chamber, and the chimney-piece 
Chaste Dian bathing : never saw I figures 
So likely to report themselves : the cutter 
"Was as another nature, dumb; outwent her, 
Motion and breath left out. 

Post. This is a thing 

Which you might from relation likewise reap, 
Being, as it is, much spoke'of . 

lach. The roof o' the chamber 

"With golden cherubins is fretted : her andirons — 
I had torgot them — were two winking Cupids 
Of silver, each on one foot standing, nicely 90 

Depending on their brands. 

Post. This is her honour ! 

Let it be granted you have seen all this— and praise 
Be given to your remembrance — the description 
Of what is in her chamber nothing saves 
The wager you have laid. 

lach. Then, if you can, 

[Showing the bracelet. 
Be pale : I beg but leave to air this jewel ; see I 
And now 't is up again : it must be married 
To that your diamond ; I '11 keep them. 

Post. Jove ! 

Once more let me behold it : is it that 
"Which I left with her? 

lach. Sir — I thank her— that : 100 

She stripp'd it from her arm ; I see her yet ; 
Her pretty action did outsell her gift. 
And yet enrich 'd it too : she gave it me, and said 
She prized it once. 

Post. May be she pluck'd it off 

To send it me. 

lach. She writes so to you, doth she ? 

Post. O, no, no, no ! 't is true. Here, take this 
too ; [Gives the ring. 

It is a basilisk unto mine eye. 
Kills me to look on 't. Let there be no honour 
48 



Cl^mbeUne* scene iv. 

Where there is beauty; truth, where semblance; 

love, 
Where there 's another man : the vows of women no 
Of no more bondage be, to where they are made, 
Than they are to their virtues ; which is nothing. 
O, above measure false ! 

Phi. Have patience, sir, 

And take your ring again ; 't is not yet won : 
It may be probable she lost it ; or 
Who knows if one of her women, being corrupted, 
Hath stol'n it from her ? 

Post. Very true ; 

And so, I hope, he came by 't. Back my ring : 
Render to me some corporal sign about her. 
More evident than this ; for this was stolen. 120 

lack. By Jupiter, I had it from her arm. 

Post. Hark you, he swears ; by Jupiter he swears. 
'T is true— nay, keep the ring — 't is true : I am sure 
She would not lose it : her attendants are [it ! 

All sworn and honourable:— they induced to steal 
And by a stranger ! — No, he hath enjoyed her : 
The cognizance of her incontinency 
Is this : she hath bought the name of whore thus 

dearly. 
There, take thy hire ; and all the fiends of hell 
Divide themselves between you ! 

Phi. Sir, be patient : 130 

This is not strong enough to be believed 
Of one persuaded well of — 

Post. Never talk on 't ; 

She hath been colted by him. 

lach. If you seek 

For further satisfying, under her breast — 
Worthy the pressing — lies a mole, right proud 
Of that most delicate lodging : by my life, 
I kiss'd it ; and it gave me present hunger 
To feed again, though full. You do remember 
This stain upon her ? 

35d 49 



Act II. d^mbeltne^ 

Post. Ay, and it doth confirm 

Another stain, as big as hell can hold, 140 

Were there no more but it. 

lack. Will you hear more ? 

Post. Spare your arithmetic; never count the 
Once, and a million ! [turns ; 

lach. I '11 be sworn— 

Post. No swearing. 

If you will swear you have not done 't, you lie ; 
And I will kill thee, if thou dost deny 
Thou 'st made me cuckold. 

lach. I '11 deny nothing. 

Post. O, that I had her here, to tear her limb-meal ! 
I will go there and do 't, i' the court, before 
Her father. I '11 do something — [Exit, 

Phi. Quite besides 

The government of patience I You have won : 150 
Let 's follow him, and pervert the present wrath 
He hath against himself. 

lach. With all my heart. [Exeunt, 

SCENE v.— Another room in Philario''s house* 

Enter Posthumus. 
Post. Is there no way for men to be but women 
Must be haK-workers ? We are all bastards ; 
And that most venerable man which I 
Did call my father, was I know not where 
When I was stamp 'd ; some coiner with his tools 
Made me a counterfeit : yet my mother seem'd 
The Dian of that time : so doth my wife 
The nonpareil of this. O, vengeance, vengeance I 
Me of my lawful pleasure she restrain 'd 
And pray'd me oft forbearance ; did it with 10 

A pudency so rosy the sweet view on 't [her 

Might well have warm'd old Saturn ; that I thought 
As chaste as unsunn'd snow. O, all the devils ! 
This yellow lachimo, in an hour, — was 't not ? — 
Or less, — at first ? — perchance he spoke not, but, 
50 



(Tl^mbeltne. scene i. 

Like a full-acorn 'd boar, a German one, 

Cried ' O ! ' and mounted ; found no opposition 

But what he look'd for should oppose and she 

Should from encounter guard. Could I find out 

The woman's part in me ! For there 's no motion 20 

That tends to vice in man, but I affirm 

It is the woman's part : be it lying, note it. 

The woman's ; flattering, hers ; deceiving, hers ; 

Lust and rank thoughts, hers, hers ; revenges, hers ; 

Ambitions, covetings, change of prides, disdain, 

Nice longing, slanders, mutability, 

All faults that may be named, nay, that hell knows, 

Why, hers, in part or all; but rather, all ; 

For even to vice 

They are not constant, but are changing still 30 

One vice, but of a minute old, for one 

Not half so old as that. I '11 write against them, 

Detest them, curse them : yet 't is greater skill 

In a true hate, to pray they have their will : 

The very devils cannot plague them better. [ExiU 



ACT in. 

SCENE I. — Britain. A hall in Cymbeline^s palace. 

Enter in state, Cymbeline, Queen, Cloten, and Lords 
at one door, and at another, Caius Lucius and At- 
tendants. 

Cym. Now say, what would Augustus Caesar 
with us ? [yet 

Luc. When Julius Caesar, whose remembrance 
Lives in men's eyes and will to ears and tongues 
Be theme and hearing ever, was in this Britain 
And conquer 'd it, Cassibelan, thine uncle, — 
Famous in Caesar's praises, no whit less 
Than in his feats deserving it— for him 

SI 



Act in. C^mbeltne* 

And his succession granted Rome a tribute, 
Yearly three thousand pounds, which by thee lately 
Is left untender'd. 

Queen. And, to kill the marvel, lo 

Shall be so ever. 

Clo. There be many Caesars, 

Ere such another Julius. Britain is 
A world by itself ; and we will nothing pay 
For wearing our own noses. 

Queen. That opportunity 

Which then they had to take from 's, to resume 
We have again. Remember, sir, my liege, 
The kings your ancestors, together with 
The natural bravery of your isle, which stands 
As Neptune's park, ribbed and paled in 
With rocks uuscaleable and roaring waters, 20 

With sands that will not bear your enemies' boats. 
But suck them up to the topmast. A kind of con- 
quest 
Caesar made here ; but made not here his brag 
Of ' Came ' and 'saw' and ' overcame : ' with shame— 
The first that ever touch'd him — he was carried 
From off our coast, twice beaten ; and his shipping- 
Poor ignorant baubles! — on our terrible seas. 
Like ej^g-shells moved upon their surges, crack 'd 
As easily 'gainst our rocks : for joy whereof 
The famed Cassibelan, who was once at point— 30 
O giglot fortune ! — to master Caesar's sword. 
Made Lud's town with rejoicing fires bright 
And Britons strut with courage. 

Clo. Come, there 's no more tribute to be paid : 
our kingdom is stronger than it was at that time ; 
and, as I said, tliere is no moe such Caesars: other 
of them may have crook 'd noses, but to owe such 
straight arms, none. 

Cym. Son, let your mother end. 

Clo. We have yet many among us can gripe as hard 40 
as Cassibelan : I do not say I am one ; but I have a 
hand. Why tribute ? why should we pay tribute ? 

52 



C^mbClinC. scene I. 

If Caesar can hide the sun from us with a blanket, or 
put the moon in his pocket, we will pay him tribute 
for light ; else, sir, no more tribute, pray you now. 

Cym. You must know. 
Till the injurious Romans did extort [tion. 

This tribute from us, we were free : Caesar's ambi- 
Which swell 'd so much that it did almost stretch 
The sides o' the world, against all colour here 5c 

Did put the yoke upon 's ; which to shake off 
Becomes a warlike people, whom we reckon 
Ourselves to be. 

Clo. and Lords. We do. 

Cym. Say, then, to Caesar, 

Our ancestor was that Mulmutius which 
Ordain 'd our laws, whose use the sword of Caesar 
Hath too much mangled ; whose repair and franchise 
Shall, by the power we hold, be our good deed, 
Though Rome be therefore angry ; Mulmutius made 

our laws. 
Who was the first of Britain which did put 
His brows within a golden crown and call'd 60 

Himself a king. 

Luc. I am sorry, Cymbeline, 

That I am to pronounce Augustus Caesar — 
Caesar, that hath more kings his servants than 
Thyself domestic oflicers — thine enemy : 
Receive it from me, then : war and confusion 
In Caesar's name pronounce I 'gainst thee : look 
For fury not to be resisted. Thus defied, 
I thank thee for myself. 

Cym. Thou art welcome, Caius. 

Thy Caesar knighted me ; my youth I spent 
Much under him ; of him I gather'd honour ; 70 

Which he to seek of me again, perforce, 
Behoves me keep at utterance. I am perfect 
That the Pannonians and Dalmatians for 
Their liberties are now in arms ; a precedent 
Which not to read would show the Britons cold: 
So Caesar shall not find them. 

53 



Act m. 



Cpmbeltnc* 



Imc. Let proof speak. 

Clo. His majesty bids you welcome. Make pas- 
time with us a day or two, or longer : if you seek 
us afterwards in other terms, you shall find us in 
our salt-water girdle : if you beat us out of it, it is 80 
yours ; if you fall in the adventure, our crows shall 
fare the better for you ; and there 's an end. 

Luc. So, sir. 

Cym. I know your master's pleasure and he mine : 
All the remain is ' Welcome ! ' [Exeunt. 

SCENE II. — Another room in the palace. 

Enter Pisanio, with a letter. 
Pis. How ! of adultery ? Wherefore write you not 
What monster 's her accuser ? Leonatus ! 

master ! what a strange infection 

Is fall'n into thy ear ! What false Italian, 

As poisonous-tongued as handed, hath prevail 'd 

On thy too-ready hearing ? Disloyal ! No : 

She 's pimish'd for her truth, and undergoes. 

More goddess-like than wife-like, such assaults 

As would take in some virtue. O my master I 

Thy mind to her is now as low as were 10 

Thy fortunes. How ! that I should murder her ? 

Upon the love and truth and vows which I 

Have made to thy command ? I, her ? her blood ? 

If it be so to do good service, never 

Let me be counted serviceable. How look I, 

That I should seem to lack humanity [the letter 

So much as this fact comes to ? [Beading'] * Do *t : 

That I have sent her, by her own command 

Shall give thee opportunity.' O damn'd paper ! 

Black as the ink that 's on thee ! Senseless bauble, 20 

Art thou a feodary for this act, and look'st 

So virgin-like without ? Lo, here she comes. 

1 am ignorant in what I am commanded. 

54 



C^mbeltne^ ^°'^" °- 



Enter Imogen. 

Imo. How now, Pisanio ? 

Pis. Madam, here is a letter from my lord. 

Imo. Who ? thy lord ? that is my lord, LeonatusI 
O, learn 'd indeed were that astronomer 
That knew the stars as I his characters ; 
He 'Id lay the future open. You good gods, 
Let what is here contain 'd relish of love, 30 

Of my lord's health, of his content, yet not 
Tliat we two are asunder ; let that grieve him : 
Some griefs are med'cinable; that is one of them, 
For it doth physic love : of his content. 
All but in that ! Good wax, thy leave. Blest be 
You bees that make these locks of counsel ! Lovers 
And men in dangerous bonds pray not alike : 
Though forfeiters you cast in prison, yet 
You clasp young Cupid's tables. Good news, gods ! 

[Beads] 'Justice, and your father's wrath, should40 
he take me in his dominion, could not be so cruel to 
me, as you, O the dearest of creatures, would even 
renew me with your eyes. Take notice that I am 
in Cambria, at Milford-Haven : what your own love 
will out of this advise you, follow. So he wishes you 
all happiness , that remains loyal to his vow, and your, 
increasing in love, Leonatus Posthumus.' 

O, for a horse with wings ! Hear'st thou, Pisanio ? 
He is at Milford-Haven : read, and tell me 
How far 't is thither. If one of mean affairs 50 

May plod it in a week, why may not I 
Glide thither in a day ? Then, true Pisanio, — 
Who long'st, like me, to see thy lord ; who long'st, — 
O, let me bate, — but not like me — yet long'st, 
But in a fainter kind : — O, not like me ; 
For mine 's beyond beyond — say, and speak thick; 
Love's counsellor should fill the bores of hearing, 
To the smothering of the sense — how far it is 
To this same blessed Milford : and by the way 
Tell me how Wales was made so happy as 60 

55 



Act m. C^mbeltne. 

To inherit such a haven : but first of all, 
How we may steal from hence, and for the gap 
That we shall make in time, from our hence-going 
And our return, to excuse : but first, how get hence : 
Why should excuse be born or e'er begot ? 
We '11 talk of that hereafter. Prithee, speak, 
How many score of miles may we well ride 
'Twixt hour and hour ? 

Pis. One score 'twixt sun and sun. 

Madam, 's enough for you : [Aside] and too much too. 

Imo. Why, one that rode to 's execution, man, 70 
Could never go so slow : I have heard of riding wagers. 
Where horses have been nimbler than the sands 
That run i' the clock's behalf. But this is foolery : 
Go bid my woman feign a sickness ; say 
She '11 home to her father : and provide me presently 
A riding-suit, no costlier than would fit 
A franklin's housewife. 

Pis. Madam, you 're best consider. 

Imo. I see before me, man : nor here, nor here, 
Nor what ensues, but have a fog in them. 
That I cannot look through. Away, I prithee ; 80 
Do as I bid thee : there 's no more to say ; 
Accessible is none but Milford way. [Exeunt. 

SCENE III. — Wales: a mountainous country with a 
cave. 

JEnter, from the cave, Belarius ; Guiderius arid 
Ar viragus fo Rowing. 

Bel. A goodly day not to keep house, with such 
Whose roof 's as low as ours I Stoop, boys ; this gate 
Instructs you how to adore the heavens and bows you 
To a morning's holy office : the gates of monarchs 
Are arch'd so high that giants may jet through 
And keep their impious turbans on, without 
Good-morrow to the sun. Hail, thou fair heaven 1 
We house i' the rock, yet use thee not so hardly 
As prouder livers do. 

56 



Cl^mbeline/ scene m. 

QuL Hail, heaven ! 

Arv. Hail, heaven 1 

Bel. Now for our mountain sport : up to yond hill ; lo 
Your legs are young ; I '11 tread these flats. Con- 
When you above perceive me like a crow. [sider, 
That it is place which lessens and sets off : 
And you may then revolve what tales I have told 
Of courts, of princes, of the tricks in war : [you 
This service is not service, so being done, 
But being so allow' d: to apprehend thus, 
Draws us a profit from all things we see ; 
And often, to our comfort, shall we find 
The sharded beetle in a safer hold 20 

Than is the full-wing 'd eagle. O, this life 
Is nobler than attending for a check, 
Richer than doing nothing for a bauble, 
Prouder than rustling in unpaid-for silk : 
Such gain the cap of him that makes 'em fine, 
Yet keeps his book uncross'd : no life to ours. 

Gui. Out of your proof you speak: we, poor un- 
fledged, [not 
Have never wing'd from view 0' the nest, nor know 
What air 's from home. Haply this life is best. 
If quiet life be best ; sweeter to you 30 
That have a sharper known ; well corresponding 
With your stiff age ; but unto us it is 
A cell of ignorance ; travelling a-bed ; 
A prison for a debtor, that not dares 
To stride a limit. 

Arv. What should we speak of 

When we are old as you ? when we shall hear 
The rain and wind beat dark December, how, 
In this our pinching cave, shall we discourse 
The freezing hours away V We have seen nothing ; 
We are beastly, subtle as the fox for prey, 40 

Like warlike as the wolf for what we eat ; 
Our valour is to chase what flies ; our cage 
We make a quire, as doth the prison 'd bird, 
And sing our bondage freely. 
57 



Act III. d^mbclinc. 

Bel. How you speak I 

Did you but know the city's usuries 
And felt them knowingly ; the art o' the court, 
As hard to leave as keep ; whose top to climb 
Is certain falling, or so slippery that 
The fear 's as bad as falling ; the toil o' the war, 
A pain that only seems to seek out danger [search, 50 
I' the name of fame and honour ; which dies i' the 
And hath as oft a slanderous epitaph 
As record of fair act ; nay, many times, 
Doth ill deserve by doing well ; what 's worse. 
Must court'sy at the censure: — O boys, this siory 
The world may read in me : my body 's mark'd 
With Koman swords, and my report was once 
First with the best of note : Cymbeline loved me. 
And when a soldier was the theme, my name 
Was not far off : then was I as a tree [night, 60 

Whose boughs did bend with fruit: but in one 
A storm or robbery, call it what you will. 
Shook down my mellow hangings, nay, my leaves, 
And left me bare to weather. 

Qui. Uncertain favour ! 

Bel. My fault being nothing — as I have told you 
oft — 
But that two villains, whose false oaths prevail'd 
Before my perfect honour, swore to Cymbeline 
I was confederate with the Romans : so 
Follow 'd my banishment, and this twenty years 
This rock and these demesnes have been my world; 70 
Where I have lived at honest freedom, paid 
More pious debts to heaven than in all 
The fore-end of my time. But up to the mountains I 
This is not hunters' language : he that strikes 
The venison first shall be the lord o' the feast ; 
To him the other two shall minister ; 
And we will fear no poison, which attends 
In place of greater state. I '11 meet you in the val- 
leys. [Exeunt Ouiderius andArviragus, 
How hard it is to hide the sparks of nature ! 

58 



C^mbClinC. scene IV. 

These boys know little they are sons to the king ; 80 

Nor Cymbeline dreams that they are alive. 

They think they are mine ; and though train'd up 

thus meanly 
I' the cave wherein they bow, their thoughts do hit 
The roofs of palaces, and nature prompts them 
In simple and low things to prince it much 
Beyond the trick of others. This Polydore, 
The heir of Cymbeline and Britain, who 
The king his father call'd Guiderius, — Jove! 
When on my three-foot stool I sit and tell 
The warlike feats I have done, his spirits fly out 90 
Into my story : say ' Thus mine enemy fell, 
And thus I set my foot on 's neck ; ' even then 
The princely blood flows in his cheek, he sweats. 
Strains his young nerves and puts himself in posture 
That acts my words. The younger brother, Cadwal, 
Once Arviragus, in as like a figure. 
Strikes life into my speech and shows much more 
His own conceiving. — Hark, the game is roused ! — 
O Cymbeline ! heaven and my conscience knows 
Thou didst unjustly banish me : whereon, 100 

At three and two years old, I stole these babes; 
Thinking to bar thee of succession, as 
Thou rett'st me of my lands. Euriphile, 
Thou wast their nurse; they took thee for their 
And every day do honour to her grave : [mother, 
Myself, Belarius, that am Morgan call'd, 
They take for natural father. The game is up. [Exit 

SCENE IV. — Country near Milford-Haven. 

Enter Pisanio and Imogen. 
Imo. Thou told'st me, when we came from horse, 
the place 
Was near at hand : ne'er long'd my mother so 
To see me first, as I have now. Pisanio I man I 
Where is Posthumus ? What is in thy mind, 

59 



Act III. (T^mbeltne* 

That makes thee stare thus? Wherefore breaks 

that sigh 
From the inward of thee ? One, but painted thus, 
Would be interpreted a thing perplex 'd 
Beyond self -explication : put thyself 
Into a haviour of less fear, ere wildness 
Vanquish my staider senses. What 's the matter ? lo 
WJiy tender'st thou that paper to me, with 
A look untender ? If 't be summer news. 
Smile to 't before ; if winterly, thou need'st 
But keep that countenance still. My husband's hand! 
That drug-damn 'd Italy hath out-craftied him. 
And he's at some hard point. Speak, man: thy 

tongue 
May take off some extremity, which to read 
Would be even mortal to me. 

Pis. Please you, read; 

And you shall find me, wretched man, a thing 
The most disdain 'd of fortune. 20 

Imo. [Beads] ' Thy mistress, Pisanio, hath played 
the strumpet in my bed ; the testimonies whereof 
lie bleeding in me. I speak not out of weak sur- 
mises, but from proof as strong as my grief and as 
certain as I expect my revenge. That part thou, 
Pisanio, must act for me, if thy faith be not tainted 
with the breach of hers. Let thine own hands take 
away her life : I shall give thee opportunity at Mil- 
ford-Haven. She hath my letter for the purpose : 
where, if thou fear to strike and to make me certain 30 
it is done, thou art the pandar to her dishonour and 
equally to me disloyal.' 

Pis. What shall I need to draw my sword ? the 
paper 
Hath cut her throat already. No, 't is slander. 
Whose edge is sharper than the sword, whose tongue 
Outvenoms all the worms of Nile, whose breath 
Rides on the posting winds and doth belie 
All corners of the world : kings, queens and states, 
Maids, matrons, nay, the secrets of the grave 
60 



Ci^mbeline^ scene iv. 

This viperous slander enters. What cheer, madam ?4o 

Imo. False to his bed ! What is it to be false ? 
To lie in watch there and to think on him ? 
To weep 'twixt clock and clock ? if sleep charge na- 
To break it with a fearful dream of him [ture. 

And cry myself awake ? that 's false to 's bed, is it r 

Pis. Alas, good lady I 

Imo. I false ! Thy conscience witness : lachimo, 
Thou didst accuse him of incontinency ; 
Thou then look'dst like a villain ; now methinks 
Thy favour 's good enough. Some jay of Italy 50 
Whose mother was her painting, hath betray 'd him ; 
Poor I am stale, a garment out of fashion ; 
And, for I am richer than to hang by the walls, 
I must be ripp'd: — to pieces with me I — O, 
Men's vows are women's traitors ! All good seeming, 
By thy revolt, O husband, shall be thought 
Put on for villany ; not born where 't grows, 
But worn a bait for ladies. 

Pis. Good madam, hear me. 

Imo. True honest men being heard, like false 
uEneas, 
Were in his time thought false, and Sinon's weeping 60 
Did scandal many a holy tear, took pity 
From most true wretchedness : so thou, Posthumus, 
Wilt lay the leaven on all proper men ; 
Goodly and gallant shall be false and perjured 
From thy great fail. Come, fellow, be thou honest : 
Do thou thy master's bidding: when thou see'st him, 
A little witness my obedience : look ! 
I draw the sword myself : take it, and hit 
The innocent mansion of my love, my heart : 
Fear not ; 't is empty of all things but grief : 70 

Thy master is not there, who was indeed 
The riches of it : do his bidding ; strike 
Thou mayst be valiant in a better cause ; 
But now thou seem'st a coward. 

Pis. Hence, vile instrument I 

Thou Shalt not damn my hand. 

61 249 



Act in. Cpmbeline* 

Imo. Why, I must die ; 

And if I do not by thy hand, thou art 
No servant of thy master's. Against self -slaughter 
There is a prohibition so divine [heart. 

That cravens my weak hand. Come, here 's my 
Something 's afore 't. Soft, soft ! we '11 no defence ;8o 
Obedient as the scabbard. What is here ? 
The scriptures of the loyal Leonatus, 
All turn'd to heresy ? Away, away, 
Corrupters of my faith ! you shall no more 
Be stomachers to my heart. Thus may poor fools 
Believe false teachers: though those that are betray 'd 
Do feel the treason sharply, yet the traitor 
Stands in worse case of woe. 
And thou, Posthumus, thou that didst set up 
My disobedience 'gainst the king my father 90 

And make me put into contempt the suits 
Of princely fellows, shall hereafter find 
It is no act of common passage, but 
A strain of rareness ; and I grieve myself 
To think, when thou shalt be disedged by her 
That now thou tirest on, how thy memory 
Will then be pang'd by me. Prithee, dispatch : 
The lamb entreats the butcher : where 's thy knife ? 
Thou art too slow to do thy master's bidding, 
When I desire it too. 

Pis. O gracious lady, 100 

Since I received command to do this business 
I have not slept one wink. 

Irrw. Do 't, and to bed then. 

Pis. I '11 wake mine eye-balls blind first. 

Imo. Wherefore then 

Didst undertake it ? Why hast thou abused 
So many miles with a pretence ? this place ? 
Mine action and thine own ? our horses' labour ? 
The time inviting thee ? the perturb 'd court, 
For my being absent ? whereunto I never 
Purpose return. Why hast thou gone so far, 
To be unbent when thou hast ta'en thy stand, no 
62 



Ci^mbellne* 



Scene IV. 



The elected deer before thee ? 

Pis. But to win time 

To lose so bad employment ; in the which 
I have consider'd of a course. Good lady, 
Hear me with patience. 

Imo. Talk thy tongue weary ; speak : 

I have heard I am a strumpet ; and mine ear, 
Therein false struck, can take no greater wound, 
Nor tent to bottom that. But speak. 

Pis. Then, madam, 

I thought you would not back again. 

Imo. Most like ; 

Bringing me here to kill me. 

Pis. Not so, neither : 

But if I were as wise as honest, then 12c 

My purpose would prove well. It cannot be 
But that my master is abused : 
Some villain, ay, and singular in his art, 
Hath done you both this cursed injury. 

Imo. Some Koman courtezan. 

Pis. No, on my life. 

I '11 give but notice you are dead and send him 
Some bloody sign of it ; for 't is commanded 
I should do so : you shall be miss'd at court. 
And that will well confirm it. 

Imo. Why, good fellow. 

What shall I do the while ? where bide ? how live ? 130 
Or in my life what comfort, when I am 
Dead to my husband ? 

Pis. If you '11 back to the court — 

Lno. No court, no father ; nor no more ado 
With that harsh, noble, simple nothing, 
That Cloten, whose love-suit hath been to me 
As fearful as a siege. 

Pis. If not at court, 

Then not in Britain must you bide. 

Imo. Where then ? 

Hath Britain all the sun that shines ? Day, night, 
Are they not but in Britain ? I' the world's volume 

63 



Act III. C^mbeline* 

Our Britain seems as of it, but not in 't ; 140 

In a great pool a swan's nest : prithee, think 
There 's livers out of Britain. 

Pis. I am most glad 

You think of other place. The ambassador, 
Lucius the Roman, comes to Milford-Haven 
To-morrow : now, if you could wear a mind 
Dark as your fortune is, and but disguise 
That which, to appear itself, must not yet be 
But by self -danger, you should tread a course 
Pretty and full of view; yea, haply, near 
The residence of Posthumus ; so nigh at least 150 

That though his actions were not visible, yet 
Report should render him hourly to your ear 
As truly as he moves. 

Imo. O, for such means ! 

Though peril to my modesty, not death on 't, 
I would adventure. 

Pis. Well, then, here 's the point: 

You must forget to be a woman ; change 
Command into obedience ; fear and niceness — 
The handmaids of all women, or, more truly, 
Woman its pretty self — into a waggish courage; 
Ready in gibes, quick-answer 'd, saucy and 160 

As quarrelous as the weasel ; nay, you must 
Forget that rarest treasure of your cheek, 
Exposing it — but, O, the harder heart ! 
Alack, no remedy ! — to the greedy touch 
Of common-kissing Titan, and forget 
Your laboursome and dainty trims, wherein 
You made great Juno angry. 

Imo. Nay, be brief: 

I see into thy end, and am almost 
A man already. 

Pis. First, make yourself but like one. 

Fore-thinking this, I have already fit— 170 

'T is in my cloak-bag — doublet, hat, hose, all 
That answer to them : would you in their serving, 
And with what imitation you can borrow 
64 



Q^mbClinC. scene V. 

rrom youth of such a season, 'fore noble Lucius 
Present yourself, desire his service, tell him [know, 
Wherein you're happy, — which you'll make him 
If that his head have ear in music,— doubtless 
With joy he will embrace you, for he 's honourable 
And doubling that, most holy. Your means abroad, 
You have me, rich ; and I will never fail i8o 

Beginning nor supplyment. 

Imo. Thou art all the comfort 

The gods will diet me with. Prithee, away : 
There 's more to be consider 'd ; but we '11 even 
All that good time will give us : this attempt 
I am soldier to, and will abide it with 
A prince's courage. Away, I prithee. 

Pis. Well, madam, we must take a short farewell, 
Lest, being miss'd, I be suspected of 
Your carriage from the court. My noble mistress, 
Here is a box ; I had it from the queen : 190 

What 's in 't is precious ; if you are sick at sea. 
Or stomach-qualm'd at land, a dram of this 
Will drive away distemper. To some shade, 
And fit you to your manhood. May the gods 
Direct you to the best ! 

Imo. Amen : I thank thee. [Exeunt, severally* 

SCENE V. — A room in Cymbeline^s palace. 

Enter Oymbeline, Queen, Cloten, Lucius, 
Lords, and Attendants. 

Cym. Thus far ; and so farewell. 

Ltic. Thanks, royal sir. 

My emperor hath wrote, I must from hence ; 
And am right sorry that I must report ye 
My master's enemy. 

Cym. Our subjects, sir, 

Will not endure his yoke ; and for ourself 
To show less sovereignty than they, must needs 
Appear unkinglike. 

Luc. So, sir : I desire of you 

35e 65 



Act m. Ci^mbeltne^ 

A conduct over-land to Milford-Haven. 
Madam, all joy befal your grace I 

8 ween. And you ! 

ym. My lords, you are appointed for that office; lo 
The due of honour in no point omit. 
So farewell, noble Lucius. 

Luc. Your hand, my lord. 

Clo. Receive it friendly ; but from this time forth 
I wear it as your enemy. 

JCwc. Sir, the event 

Is yet to name the winner : fare you well. 

Cym. Leave not the worthy Lucius, good my lords, 
Till he have cross 'd the Severn. Happiness ! 

[Exemit Lucius and Lords. 

Queen. He goes hence frowning : but it honours 
That we have given him cause. [us 

Clo. 'Tis all the better; 

Your valiant Britons have their wishes in it. 20 

Cym. Lucius hath wrote already to the emperor 
How it goes here. It fits us therefore ripely 
Our chariots and our horsemen be in readiness : 
The powers that he already hath in Gallia 
Will soon be drawn to head, from whence he moves 
His war for Britain. 

Queen. 'T is not sleepy business ; 

But must be look'd to speedily and strongly. 

Cym. Our expectation that it would be thus 
Hath made us forward. But, my gentle queen, 
Where is our daughter ? She hath not appear'd 30 
Before the Roman, nor to us hath tender 'd 
The duty of the day : she looks us like 
A thing more made of malice than of duty : 
We have noted it. Call her before us ; for 
We have been too slight in sufferance. 

[Exit an Attendant. 

Queen. Royal sir, 

Since the exile of Posthumus, most retired 
Hath her life been ; the cure whereof, my lord, 
'T is time must do. Beseech your majesty, 
66 



(I^m\)clinc. 



Scene V. 



Forbear sharp speeches to her : she 's a lady 

So tender of rebukes that words are strokes 40 

And strokes death to her. 

Re-enter Attendant. 

Cym. Where is she, sir ? How 

Can her contempt be answer 'd ? 

Atten. Please you, sir, 

Her chambers are all lock'd ; and there 's no answer 
That will be given to the loudest noise we make. 

Queen. My lord, when last I went to visit her, 
She pray'd me to excuse her keeping close, 
Whereto constrain 'd by her infirmity. 
She should that duty leave unpaid to you, 
Which daily she was bound to proffer : this 
She wish'd me to make known ; but our great court 50 
Made me to blame in memory. 

Cym. Her doors lock'd ? 

Not seen of late ? Grant, heavens, that which I fear 
Prove false ! [Exit. 

Queen. Son, I say, follow the king. 

Vlo. That man of hers, Pisanio, her old servant, 
I have not seen these two days. 

Queen. Go, look after. [Exit Cloten. 

Pisanio, thou that stand 'st so for PosthumusI 
He hath a drug of mine ; I pray his absence 
Proceed by swallowing that, for he believes 
It is a thing most precious. But for her. 
Where is she gone ? Haply, despair hath seized her, 60 
Or, wing'd with fervour of her love, she 's flown 
To her desired Posthumus : gone she is 
To death or to dishonour ; and my end 
Can make good use of either : she being down, 
I have the placing of the British crown. 

Be-enter Oloten. 
How now, my son ! 

Clo. 'T is certain she is fled. 

Go in and cheer the king : he rages ; none 
67 



Act III (ti^mbeUne* 

Dare come about him. 

^ueen, [Aside] All the better : may 

This night forestall him of the coming day ! [Exit. 

Clo. 1 love and hate her : for she 's fair and royal, 70 
And that she hath all courtly parts more exquisite 
Than lady, ladies, woman ; from every one 
The best she hath, and she, of all compounded, 
Outsells them all ; I love her therefore : but 
Disdaining me and throwing favours on 
The low Posthumus slanders so her judgment 
That what 's else rare is choked ; and in that point 
I will conclude to hate her, nay, indeed. 
To be revenged upon her. For when fools 
Shall— „ _. , 

Enter Pisanio. 

Who is here ? What, are you packing, sirrah ? 80 
Come hither: ah, you precious pandar! villain, 
Where is thy lady '? In a word ; or else 
Thou art straightway with the fiends. 

Pis. O, good my lord ! 

Clo. Where is thy lady ? or, by Jupiter,— 
I will not ask again. Close villain, 
I '11 have this secret from thy heart, or rip 
Thy heart to find it. Is she with Posthumus ? 
From whose so many weights of baseness cannot 
A dram of worth be drawn. 

Fis. Alas, my lord, 

How can she be with him ? When was she miss 'd ? 90 
He is in Rome. 

Clo. Where is she, sir? Come nearer; 

No further halting : satisfy me home 
What is become of her. 

Pis. O, my all-worthy lord ! 

Clo. All-worthy villain I 

Discover where thy mistress is at once, 
At the next word : no more of ' worthy lord ! ' 
Speak, or thy silence on the instant is 
Thy condemnation and thy death. 

Pis. Then, sir, 

68 



C^mbClinC. scene V. 

This paper is the history of my knowledge 
Touching her flight. [Presenting a letter, 

Clo. Let 's see 't. I will pursue herioo 

Even to Augustus' throne. 

Pis. [Aside] Or this, or perish. 

She 's far enough ; and what he learns by this 
May prove his travel, not her danger. 

Clo, Hum I 

Pis. [Aside] I'll write to my lord she's dead. 
O Imogen, 
Safe mayst thou wander, safe return again I 

Clo. Sirrah, is this letter true ? 

Pis. Sir, as I think. 

Clo. It is Posthumus' hand ; I know 't. Sirrah, 
if thou wouldst not be a villain, but do me trua 
service, undergo those employments wherein Iiio 
should have cause to use thee with a serious in- 
dustry, that is, what villany soe'er I bid thee do, 
to perform it directly and truly, I would think 
thee an honest man: thou shouldst neither want 
my means for thy relief nor my voice for thy pre- 

Pis. Well, my good lord. [ferment. 

Clo. Wilt thou serve me ? for since patiently and 
constantly thou hast stuck to the bare fortune of 
that beggar Posthumus, thou canst not, in the 
course of gratitude, but be a diligent follower of 120 
mine : wilt thou serve me ? 

Pis. Sir, I will. 

Clo. Give me thy hand : here 's my purse. Hast 
any of thy late master's garments in thy possession? 

Pis. I have, my lord, at my lodging, the same 
suit he wore when he took leave of my lady and 
mistress. 

Clo. The first service thou dost me, fetch that 
suit hither : let it be thy first service ; go. 

Pis. I shall, my lord. [Exit. 130 

Clo. Meet thee at Milford-Haven!— I forgot to 
ask him one thing ; I '11 remember 't anon : — even 
there, thou villain Posthumus, will I kill thee. I 

6? 



Act m. 



Cpmbeltne, 



would these garments were come. She said upon 
a time — the bitterness of it I now belch from my 
heart — that she held the very garment of Post- 
humus in more respect than my noble and natural 
person, together with the adornment of my quali- 
ties. With that suit upon my back, will I ravish 
her: first kill him, and in her eyes; there shall 140 
she see my valour, which will then be a torment to 
her contempt. He on the ground, my speech of 
insultment ended on his dead body, and when my 
lust hath dined,— which, as I say, to vex her I 
will execute in the clothes that she so praised, — 
to tho court I '11 knock her back, foot her home 
again. She hath despised me rejoicingly, and I '11 
be merry in my revenge. 

Be-enter Pisanio, with the clothes. 
Be those the garments ? 

Pis. Ay, my noble lord. [Haven ? 150 

Clo. How long is't since she went to Milford- 

Pis. She can scarce be there yet. 

Clo. Bring this apparel to my chamber ; that is 
the second thing that I have commanded thee : the 
third is, that thou wilt be a voluntary mute to my 
design. Be but duteous, and true preferment shall 
tender itself to thee. My revenge is now at Mil- 
ford : would I had wings to follow it ! Come, and 
be true. [Exit. 

Pis. Thou bid'st me to my loss : for true to thee 160 
Were to prove false, which I will never be. 
To him that is most true. To Milford go. 
And find not her whom thou pursuest. Flow, flow, 
You heavenly blessings, on her! This fool's speed 
Be cross'd with slowness ; labour be his meed ! 

[Exit. 



19 



Ci^mbeline^ ^^^^^ ^i. 



SCENE VI.— Wales. Before the cave of Belarius. 

Enter Imogen, in boy^s clothes. 
Imo. I see a man's life is a tedious one : 
I have tired myself, and for two nights together 
Have made the ground my bed. I should be sick, 
But that my resolution helps me. Milford, 
When from the mountain-top Pisanio show'd thee, 
Thou wast within a ken : O Jove ! I think 
Foundations fly the wretched ; such, I mean, [me 
Where they should be relieved. Two beggars told 
I could not miss my way : will poor folks lie, 
That have afflictions on them, knowing 't is lo 

A punishment or trial ? Yes ; no wonder. 
When rich ones scarce tell true. To lapse in fulness 
Is sorer than to lie for need, and falsehood 
Is worse in kings than beggars. My dear lord ! 
Thou art one o' the false ones. Now I think on thee, 
My hunger 's gone ; but even before, I was 
At point to sink for food. But what is this ? 
Here is a path to 't : 't is some savage hold : 
I were best not call ; I dare not call : yet famine. 
Ere clean it o'erthrow nature, makes it valiant. 20 
Plenty and peace breeds cowards : hardness ever 
Of hardiness is mother. Ho ! who 's here ? 
If any thing that 's civil, speak ; if savage. 
Take or lend. Ho ! No answer ? Then I '11 enter. 
Best draw my sword: and if mine enemy 
But fear the sword like me, he '11 scarcely look on 't. 
Such a foe, good heavens ! [Exit, to the cave. 

Enter Belarius, Guiderius, and Arviragus. 
Bel. You, Polydore, have proved best woodman 
Are master of the feast : Cadwal and I [and 

Will play the cook and servant ; 't is our match : 30 
The sweat of industry would dry and die, 
But for the end it works to. Come ; our stomachs 
Will make what 's homely savoury : weariness 

71 



Act in. 



Cpmbeltne^ 



Can snore upon the flint, when resty sloth 
Finds the down pillow hard. Now peace be here, 
Poor house, that keep'st thyself! 

Gui. I am throughly weary. 

Arv. I am weak with toil, yet strong in appetite. 

Gui. There is cold meat iHhe cave : we '11 browse 
Whilst what we have kill'd be cook'd. [on that, 

Bel. [Looking into the cave] Stay ; come not in.40 
But that it eats our victuals, I should think 
Here were a fairy. 

Gui. What 's the matter, sir ? 

Bel. By Jupiter, an angel ! or, if not, 
An earthly paragon. Behold divineness 
No elder than a boy ! 

Be-enter Imogen. 

Imo. Good masters, harm me not: 
Before I enter'd here, I call'd ; and thought 
To have begg'd or bought what I have took: good 

troth, 
I have stol'n nought, nor would not, though I had 

found 
Gold strew'd i' the floor. Here 's money for my 

meat : 50 

I would have left it on the board so soon 
As I had made my meal, and parted 
With prayers for the provider. 

Gui. Money, youth ? 

Arv. All gold and silver rather turn to dirt 1 
And 't is no better reckon 'd, but of those 
Who worship dirty gods. 

Imo. I see you 're angry : 

Know, if you kill me for my fault, I should 
Have died had I not made it. 

Bel. Whither bound? 

Into. To Milford-Haven. 

Bel. What 's your name V 60 

Imo. Fidele, sir. I have a kinsman who 
Is bound for Italy ; he embark 'd at Milford ; 
72 



C^mbeUne. ^°"^" ''^• 

To whom being going, almost spent with hunger, 
I am fall'n in this offence. 

Bel. Prithee, fair youth. 

Think us no churls, nor measure our good minds 
By this rude place we live in. Well encounter'd I 
'T is almost night : you shall have better cheer 
Ere you depart ; and thanks to stay and eat it. 
Boys, bid him welcome. 

Gui. Were you a woman, youth, 

I should woo hard but be your groom. In honesty, 70 
I bid for you as I 'Id buy. 

Arv, I '11 make 't my comfort 

He is a man ; I '11 love him as my brother : 
And such a welcome as I 'Id give to him 
After long absence, such is yours: most welcome! 
Be sprightly, for you fall 'mongst friends. 

l7no. 'Mongst friends, 

If brothers. [Aside] Would it had been so, that they 
Had been my father's sons ! then had my prize 
Been less, and so more equal ballasting 
To thee, Posthumus. 

Bel. He wrings at some distress. 

Gui. Would I could free 't ! 

Arv. Or I, whate'er it be, 80 

What pain it cost, what danger. Gods ! 

Bel. Hark, boys. 

[ Whispering, 

Imo. Great men, 
That had a court no bigger than this cave. 
That did attend themselves and had the virtue 
Which their own conscience seal'd them— laying by 
That nothing-gift of differing multitudes— 
Could not out-peer these twain. Pardon me, gods I 
I 'Id change my sex to be companion with them, 
Since Leonatus 's false. 

Bel. It shall be so. 

Boys, we '11 go dress our hunt. Fair youth , come in : 90 
Discourse is heavy, fasting ; when we have supp'd, 
We '11 mannerly demand thee of thy story, 

73 



Act III. cymbcltne. 

So far as thou wilt speak it. 
Gui. Pray, draw near. 

Arv. The night to the owl and morn to the lark 

less welcome. 
Imo, Thanks, sir. 
Arv. I pray, draw near. [Exeunt, 

SCENE Vll.—Rome. A public place. 
Enter two Senators and Tribunes. 

First Sen. This is the tenour of the emperor's writ : 
That since the common men are now in action 
'Gainst the Pannonians and Dalmatians, 
And that the legions now in Gallia are 
Full weak to undertake our wars against 
The fall'n-off Britons, that we do incite 
The gentry to this business. He creates 
Lucius proconsul : and to you the tribunes, 
For this immediate levy, he commends 
His absolute commission. Long live Caesar ! lo 

First Tri. Is Lucius general of the forces ? 

Sec. Sen. Ay, 

First Tri. Remaining now in Gallia ? 

First Sen. With those legions 

Which I have spoke of, whereunto your levy 
Must be supplyant : the words of your commission 
Will tie you to the numbers and the time 
Of their dispatch. 

First Tri, We will discharge our duty. 

[Exeunt, 



74 



Ci^mbeltne, 



Scene II. 



ACT IV. 

SCENE I,— Wales : near the cave of Belarius, 

Enter Cloten. 
Clo. I am near to the place where they should 
meet, if Pisanio have mapped it truly. How tit 
his garments serve me ! Why should his mistress, 
who was made by him that made the tailor, not be 
fit too ? the rather— saving reverence of the word— 
for 't is said a woman's fitness comes by fits. There- 
in I must play the workman. I dare speak it to 
myself —for it is not vain-glory for a man and his 
glass to confer in his own chamber — I mean, the 
lines of my body are as well drawn as his ; no less lo 
young, more strong, not beneath him in fortunes, 
beyond him in the advantage of the time, above 
him in birth, alike conversant in general services, 
and more remarkable in single oppositions : yet this 
imperceiverant thing loves him in my despite. What 
mortality is! Posthumus, thy head, which now is 
growing upon thy shoulders, shall within this hour 
be off ; thy mistress enforced ; thy garments cut to 
pieces before thy face : and all this done, spurn her 
home to her father; who may haply be a little 20 
angry for my so rough usage ; but my mother, having 
power of hi^ testiness, shall turn all into my com- 
mendations. My horse is tied up safe : out, sword, 
and to a sore purpose ! Fortune, put them into my 
hand I This is the very description of their meeting- 
place ; and the fellow dares not deceive me. [Exit. 

SCENE II. — Before the cave of Belarius. 

Enter ^ from, the cave, Belarius, Guiderius, 
Arviragus, and Imogen. 
Bel. [To Imogen] You are not well : remain here in 
We '11 come to you after hunting. [the cave ; 

75 



Act IV. 



C^mbeltne* 



Arv, [To Imogen] Brother, stay here : 

Are we not brothers ? 

Imo. So man and man should be ; 

But clay and clay differs in dignity, 
Whose dust is both alike. I am very sick. 

Qui. Go you to hunting ; I '11 abide with him. 

Imo. So sick I am not, yet I am not well ; 
But not so citizen a wanton as 
To seem to die ere sick : so please you, leave me ; 
Stick to your journal course : the breach of custom lo 
Is breach of all. I am ill, but your being by me 
Cannot amend me ; society is no comfort 
To one not sociable : I am not very sick. 
Since I can reason of it. Pray you, trust me here : 
I '11 rob none but myself; and let me die. 
Stealing so poorly. 

Gui. I love thee ; I have spoke it : 

How much the quantity, the weight as much. 
As I do love my father. 

Bel. What! howl how! 

Arv. If it be sin to say so, sir, I yoke me 
In my good brother's fault : I know not why 20 

I love this youth ; and I have heard you say, 
Love's reason 's without reason : the bier at door, 
And a demand who is 't shall die, I 'Id say 
' My father, not this youth.' 

Bel. [Aside] O noble strain I 

worthiness of nature ! breed of greatness ! 
Cowards father cowards and base things sire base : 
Nature hath meal and bran, contempt and grace. 

1 'm not their father ; yet who this should be. 
Doth miracle itself, loved before me. 

'T is the ninth hour 0' the morn. 
Arv. Brother, farewell. 3° 

Imo. I wish ye sport. 

Arv. You health. So please you, sir. 

Imo. [Aside] These are kind creatures. Gods, 
what lies I have heard I 
76 



Ci^mbeline* scene n. 

Our courtiers say all 's savage but at court : 

Experience, O, thou disprovest report ! 

The imperious seas breed monsters, for the dish 

Poor tributary rivers as sweet tish. 

I am sick still ; heart-sick. Pisanio, 

I '11 now taste of thy drug. [Swallows some, 

Gui. I could not stir him : 

He said he was gentle, but imfortunate ; 
Dishonestly afflicted, but yet honest. 40 

Arv. Thus did he answer me : yet said, hereafter 
I might know more. 

Bd. To the field, to the field ! 

"We '11 leave you for this time : go in and rest. 

Arv. We '11 not be long away. 

Bel. Pray, be not sick, 

For you must be our housewife. 

Imo. Well or ill, 

I am bound to you. 

Bel. And shalt be ever. 

[Exit Imogen^ to the cave* 
This youth, howe'er distress 'd, appears he hath had 
Good ancestors. 

Arv. How angel-like he sings I 

Qui. But his neat cookery ! he cut our roots 
In characters, 

And sauced our broths, as Juno had been sick 50 
And he her dieter. 

Arv. Kobly he yokes 

A smiling with a sigh, as if the sigh 
Was that it was^ for not being such a smile ; 
The smile mockmg the sigh, that it would fly 
From so divine a temple, to commix 
With winds that sailors rail at. 

Qui. I do note 

That grief and patience, rooted in him both, 
Mingle their spurs together. 

Arv. Grow, patience I 

And let the stinking elder, grief, untwine 
His perishing root with the increasing vine ! 60 

77 250 



Act IV. (Ti^mbeUne* 

Bel. It is great morning. Come, away ! — Wlio 's 

there? xr . ^, . 

Enter Oloten. 

Clo. I cannot find those runagates ; that villain 
Hath mock'd me. I am faint. 

Bel. Those runagates I 

Means he not us ? I partly know him : 't is 
Cloten, the son o' the queen. I fear some ambush 
I saw him not these many years, and yet 
I know 't is he. We are held as outlaws : hence ! 

Gui. He is but one : you and my brother search 
What companies are near : pray you, away ; 
Let me alone with him. 

[Exeunt Belarius and Arviragus. 

Clo. Soft ! What are you 70 

That fly me thus ? some villain mountaineers ? 
I have heard of such. What slave art thou ? 

Gui. A thing 

More slavish did I ne'er than answering 
A slave without a knock. 

Clo. Thou art a robber, 

A law-breaker, a villain : yield thee, thief. 

Gui. To who ? to thee ? What art thou ? Have 
not I 
An arm as big as thine ? a heart as big ? 
Thy words, I grant, are bigger, for I wear not 
My dagger in my mouth. Say what thou art, 
Why I should yield to thee ? 

Clo. Thou villain base, 80 

Know'st me not by my clothes ? 

Gui. No, nor thy tailor, rascal. 

Who is thy grandfather : he made those clothes. 
Which, as it seems, make thee. 

Clo. Thou precious varlet, 

My tailor made them not. 

Gui. Hence, then, and thank 

The man that gave them thee. Thou art some fool ; 
I am loath to l^at thee. 

78 



Cl^mbellne* scene n. 

Clo. Thou injurious thief, 

Hear but my name, and tremble. 

Gui. What 's thy name ? 

Clo, Cloten, thou villain. 

Gui. Cloten, thou double villain, be thv name, 
I cannot tremble at it : were it Toad, or Adder, Spi- 90 
'T would move me sooner. [der, 

Glo. To thy further fear, 

Nay, to thy mere confusion, thou shalt know 
I am son to the queen. 

Gui. I am sorry for 't ; not seeming 

So worthy as thy birth. 

Clo. Art not afeard ? 

Gui. Those that I reverence those I fear, the wise ; 
At fools I laugh, not fear them. 

Clo. Die the death : 

When I have slain thee with my proper hand, 
I '11 follow those that even now fled hence, 
And on the gates of Lud's-town set your heads : 
Yield, rustic mountaineer. [Exeunt, fighting. 100 

Be-enter Belarius and Arviragus. 

Bel. No companies abroad ? 

Arv. None m the world : you did mistake him, 
sure. 

Bel. I cannot tell : long is it since I saw him. 
But time hath nothing blurr'd those lines of favour 
Which then he wore ; the snatches in his voice. 
And burst of speaking, were as his : I am absolute 
'T was very Cloten. 

Arv. In this place we left them : 

I wish my brother make good time with him, 
You say he is so fell. 

Bel. Being scarce made up, 

I mean, to man, he had not apprehension no 

Of roaring terrors ; for the effect of judgment 
Is oft the cause of fear. But, see, thy brother. 
79 



Act IV. 



Cl^mbeltne* 



Be-enter Guiderius, with 01oten*s head. 

Gut. This Cloten was a fool, an empty purse; 
There was no money in 't : not Hercules 
Could have knock'd out his brains, for he had none : 
Yet I not doing this, the fool had borne 
My head as I do his. 

Bel. What hast thou done ? 

Gui. I am perfect what : cut off one Cloten 's head, 
Son to the queen, after his own report ; 
Who call'd me traitor, mountaineer, and swore 120 
With his own single hand he 'Id take us in, [grow, 
Displace our heads where — thank the gods I — they 
And set them on Lud's-town. 

Bel. We are all undone. 

Gui. Why, worthy father, what have we to lose, 
But that he swore to take, our lives ? The law 
Protects not us : then why should we be tender 
To let an arrogant piece of flesh threat us, 
Play judge and executioner all himself, 
For we do fear the law V What company 
Discover you abroad ? 

Bel. No single soul 130 

Can we set eye on ; but in all safe reason 
He must have some attendants. Though his humour 
Was nothing but mutation, ay, and that 
From one bad thing to worse ; not frenzy, not 
Absolute madness could so far have raved 
To bring him here alone ; although perhaps 
It may be heard at court that such as we 
Cave here, hunt here, are outlaws, and in time 
May make some stronger head ; the which he hear- 
As it is like him — might break out, and swear [ing— 140 
He 'Id fetch us in ; yet is 't not probable 
To come alone, either he so undertaking, 
Or they so suffering : then on good ground we fear, 
If we do fear this body hath a tail 
More perilous than the head. 
80 



d^mbCltne* scene n. 

Arv. Let ordinance 

Come as the gods foresay it : howsoe'er, 
My brother hath done well. 

Bel. I had no mind 

To hunt this day : the boy Fidele's sickness 
Did make my way long forth. 

Gui. With his own sword, 

Which he did wave against my throat, I have ta'en 150 
His head from him : I '11 throw 't into the creek 
Behind our rock ; and let it to the sea, 
And tell the fishes he 's the queen's son, Cloten : 
That 's all I reck. [Exit. 

Bel. I fear 't will be revenged : 

Would, Polydore, thou hadst not done 't ! though 

valour 
Becomes thee well enough. 

Arv. Would I had done 't, 

So the revenge alone pursued me I Polydore, 
I love thee brotherly, but envy much 
Thou hast robb'd me of this deed : I would revenges, 
That possible strength might meet, would seek us 160 
And put us to our answer. [through 

Bel. Well, 't is done : 

We '11 hunt no more to-day, nor seek for danger 
Where there 's no profit. I prithee, to our rock ; 
You and Fidele play the cooks : I '11 stay 
Till hasty Polydore return, and bring him 
To dinner presently. 

Arv. Poor sick Fidele ! 

I '11 willingly to him : to gain his colour 
I 'Id let a parish of such Clotens' blood, 
And praise myself for charity. [Exit. 

Bel. O thou goddess, 

Thou divine Nature, how thyself thou blazon'st 170 
In these two princely boys ! They are as gentle 
As zephyrs blowing below the violet. 
Not wagging his sweet head ; and yet as rough, 
Their royal blood enchafed, as the rudest wind, 

35f 81 



Act IV. (Ti^mbeUne* 

That by the top doth take the mountain pine, 
And make him stoop to the vale. 'T is wonder 
That an invisible instinct should frame them 
To royalty unlearn 'd, honour untaught, J 

Civility not seen from other, valour I 

That wildly grows in them, but yields a crop i8o ' 

As if it had been sow'd. Yet still it 's strange 
What Cloten's being here to us portends. 
Or what his death will bring us. 

Be-enter Guiderius. 

Gui. Where 's my brother ? 

I have sent Cloten's clotpoll down the stream. 
In embassy to his mother : his body's hostage 
For his return. [Solemn music. 

Bel. My ingenious instrument ! 

Hark, Polydore, it sounds ! But what occasion 
Hath Cadwal now to give it motion ? Hark I 

Gui. Is he at home ? 

Bel. He went hence even now. 

Gui. What does he mean? since death of my 
dear'st mother 190 

It did not speak before. All solemn things 
Should answer solemn accidents. The matter ? 
Triumphs for nothing and lamenting toys 
Is jollity for apes and grief for boys. 
Is Cadwal mad ? 

Bel. Look, here he comes, 

And brings the dire occasion in his arms 
Of what we blame him for. 

Be-enter Arviragus, with Imogen, as dead, hearing 
her in his arms. 

Arv. The bird is dead 

That we have made so much on. I had rather 
Have skipp'd from sixteen years of age to sixty, 
To have turn'd my leaping-time into a crutch, 200 
Than have seen this. 

Qui, O sweetest, fairest lily I 

82 



C^m})ClinC. scene n. 

My brother wears thee not the one half so well 
As when thou grew'st thyself. 

Bel. O melancholy ! 

Who ever yet could sound thy bottom ? find 
The ooze, to show what coast thy sluggish crare 
Might easiliest harbour in ? Thou blessed thing ! 
Jove knows what man thou mightst have made; 
Thou diedst, a most rare boy, of melancholy, [but I, 
How found you him ? 

Arv. Stark, as you see : 

Thus smiling, as some fly had tickled slumber, 210 
Not as death's dart, being laugh 'd at : his right cheek 
Keposing on a cushion. 

Gui. Where? 

Arv. O' the floor ; 

His arms thus leagued : I thought he slept, and put 
My clouted brogues from off my feet, whose rudeness 
Answer'd my steps too loud. 

Gui. Why, he but sleeps : 

If he be gone, he '11 make his grave a bed ; 
With female fairies will his tomb be haunted. 
And worms will not come to thee. 

Arv. With fairest flowers 

Whilst summer lasts and I live here, Fidele, 
I '11 sweeten thy sad grave : thou shalt not lack 220 
The flower that 's like thy face, pale primrose, nor 
The azured harebell, like thy veins, no, nor 
The leaf of eglantine, whom not to slander. 
Out-sweeten 'd not thy breath : the ruddock would, 
With charitable bill, — O bill, sore shaming 
Those rich-left heirs that let their fathers lie 
Without a monument ! —bring thee all this ; 
Yea, and furr'd moss besides, when flowers are 
To winter-ground thy corse. [none, 

Gui. Prithee, have done ; 

And do not play in wench-like words with that 230 
Which is so serious. Let us bury him. 
And not protract with admiration what 
Is now due debt. To the grave ! 

S3 



Act IV. C^mbclinc, 

Arv. Say, where shall 's lay him ? 

Gui. By good Euriphile, our mother. 

Arv. Be 't so : 

And let us, Polydore, though now our voices 
Have got the mannish crack, sing him to the ground, 
As once our mother ; use like note and words. 
Save that Euriphile must be Fidele. 

Gui. Cadwal, 
I cannot sing : I '11 weep, and word it with thee ; 240 
For notes of sorrow out of tune are worse 
Than priests and fanes that lie. 

Arv. We '11 speak it, then. 

Bel. Great griefs, I see, medicine the less; for 
Cloten 
Is quite forgot. He was a queen's son, boys ; 
And though he came our enemy, remember [ting 
He was paid for that : though mean and mighty, rot- 
Together, have one dust, yet reverence. 
That angel of the world, doth make distinction 
Of place 'tween high and low. Our foe was princely : 
And though you took his life, as being our foe, 250 
Yet bury him as a prince. 

Gui. Pray you, fetch him hither. 

Thersites' body is as good as Ajax', 
When neither are alive. 

Arv. If you '11 go fetch him, 

We '11 say our song the whilst. Brother, begin. 

[Exit Belarius. 

Gui. Nay, Cadwal, we must lay his head to the 
My father hath a reason for 't. [east ; 

Arv. 'T is true. 

Gui. Come on then, and remove him. 

Arv. So. Begin. 

SONG. 

Gui. Fear no more the heat o' the sun, 
Nor the furious winter's rages ; 
Thou thy worldly task hast done, 260 > 

Home art gone, and ta'en thy wages: 
84 



(Tl^mbeUne* scene n. 

Golden lads and girls all must, 

As chimney-sweepers, come to dust. 

Arv. Fear no more the frown o' the great ; 

Thou art past the tyrant's stroke ; 
Care no more to clothe and eat ; 

To thee the reed is as the oak : 
The sceptre, learning, physic, must 
All follow this, and come to dust. 

Gui. Fear no more the lightning-flash, 270 

Arv. Nor the all-dreaded thunder-stone ; 
Gui. Fear not slander, censure rash ; 
Arv. Thou hast finish'd joy and moan : 
Both. All lovers young, all lovers must 
Consign to thee, and come to dust. 

Gui. No exorciser harm thee ! 
Arv. Nor no witchcraft charm thee I 
Gui. Ghost unlaid forbear thee ! 
Arv. Nothing ill come near thee ! 
Both. Quiet consummation have ; 280 

And renowned be thy grave ! > 

Re-enter Belarius, with the body of Cloten. 
Gui. We have done our obsequies : come, lay him 
down. [more : 

Bel. Here 's a few flowers ; but 'bout midnight. 
The herbs that have on them cold dew o' the night 
Are strewings fitt'st for graves. Upon their faces. 
You were as flowers, now wither'd : even so 
These herblets shall, which we upon you strew. 
Come on, away : apart upon our knees. 
The ground that gave them first has them again : 
Their pleasures here are past, so is their pain. 290 

[Exeunt Belarius^ Guiderius and Arviragus. 
Imo. [AivakingTYes^ sir, to Milf ord-Haven ; which 
is the way? — [thither ? 

I thank you.— By yond bush?— Pray, how far 

85 



Act IV. C^mbeltne^ 

'Ods pittikins ! can it be six mile yet ? — 

I have gone all night. 'Faith, I '11 lie down and sleep. 

But, soft ! no bedfellow ! — O gods and goddesses ! 

[Seemg the body of Cloten, 
These flowers are like the pleasures of the world ; 
This bloody man, the care on 't. I hope I dream ; 
For so I thought 1 was a cave-keeper, 
And cook to honest creatures : but 't is not so ; 
'T was but a bolt of nothing, shot at nothing, 300 

Which the brain makes of fumes : our very eyes 
Are sometimes like our judgments, blind. Good 
I tremble still with fear : but if there be [faith, 
Yet left in heaven as small a drop of pity 
As a wren's eye, fear'd gods, a part of it! 
The dream 's here still : even when I wake, it is 
Without me, as within me ; not imagined, felt. 
A headless man ! The garments of Posthumus I 
I know the shape of 's leg : this is his hand ; 
His foot Mercurial ; his Martial thigh ; 310 

The brawns of Hercules : but his Jovial face — 
Murder in heaven ? — How ! — 'T is gone. Pisanio, 
All curses madded Hecuba gave the Greeks, 
And mine to boot, be darted on thee ! Thou, 
Conspired with that irregulous devil, Cloten, 
Hast here cut off my lord. To write and read 
Be henceforth treacherous ! Damn'd Pisanio 
Hath with his forged letters,— damn'd Pisanio — 
From this most bravest vessel of the world 
Struck the main-top ! O Posthumus ! alas, [that ? 320 
Where is thy head ? where 's that ? Ay me ! where 's 
Pisanio might have kill'd thee at the heart, 
And left this head on. How should this be? Pisanio? 
'T is he and Cloten : malice and lucre in them 
Have laid this woe here. O, 't is pregnant, pregnant ! 
The drug he gave me, which he said was precious 
And cordial to me, have I not found it 
Murderous to the senses ? That confirms it home: 
This is Pisanio 's deed, and Cloten's: 01 

86 



Cl^mbeltne, 



Scene II. 



Give colour to my pale cheek with thy blood, 33^ 

That we the horrider may seem to those 
Which chance to find us : O, my lord, my lord! 

[Falls on the body. 

Enter Lucius, a Captain and other OflQcers, and 
a Soothsayer. 

Cap. To them the legions garrison 'd in Gallia, 
After your will, have cross'd the sea, attending 
You here at Milford-Haven with your ships: 
They are in readiness. 

Luc. But what from Kome ? 

Cap. The senate hath stirr'd up the conflners 
And gentlemen of Italy, most willing spirits, 
That promise noble service : and they come 
Under the conduct of bold lachimo, 34° 

Syenna's brother. 

Luc. When expect you them ? 

Cap. With the next benefit o' the wind. 

Luc. This forwardness 

Makes our hopes fair. Command our present num- 
bers 
Be muster'd ; bid the captains look to 't. Now, sir. 
What have you dream 'd of late of this war's purpose? 

Sooth. Last night the very gods show'd me a 
vision — 
I fast and pray'd for their intelligence — thus: 
I saw Jove's bird, the Koman eagle, wing'd 
From the spongy south to this part of the west, 
There vanish 'd in the sunbeams : which portends — 35° 
Unless my sins abuse my divination — 
Success to the Roman host. 

Luc. Dream often so, 

And never false. Soft, ho ! what trunk is here 
Without his top ? The ruin speaks that sometime 
It was a worthy building. How ! a page ! 
Or dead, or sleeping on him ? But dead rather ; 
For nature doth abhor to make his bed 

87 



Act IV. Cpmbellne, 

With the defunct, or sleep upon the dead. 
Let 's see the boy's face. 

Cap. He 's alive, my lord. 

Iaic. He '11 then instruct us of this body. Young 360 
Inform us of thy fortunes, for it seems [one, 

They crare to be demanded. Who is this 
Thou makest thy bloody pillow ? Or who was he 
That, otherwise than noble nature did. 
Hath alter 'd that good picture ? What 's thy interest 
In this sad wreck ? How came it ? Who is it ? 
What art thou? 

Imo. I am nothing : or if not. 

Nothing to be were better. This was my master, 
A very valiant Briton and a good. 
That here by mountaineers lies slain. Alas ! 370 

There is no more such masters : I may wander 
From east to Occident, cry out for service. 
Try many, all good, serve truly, never 
Find such another master. 

Luc. 'Lack, good youth! 

Thou movest no less with thy complaining than 
Thy master in bleeding : say his name, good friend. 

Imo. Richard du Champ. [Aside] If I do lie and 
No harm by it, though the gods hear, I hope [do 
They '11 pardon it.— Say you, sir ? 

Ijm. Thy name ? 

Imo. Fidele, sir. 

Luc. Thou dost approve thyself the very same : 380 
Thy name well fits thy faith, thy faith thy name. 
Wilt take thy chance with me ? I will not say 
Thou Shalt be so well master 'd, but, be sure, 
No less beloved. The Roman emperor's letters. 
Sent by a consul to me, should not sooner 
Than thine own worth prefer thee : go with me. 

Imo. I '11 follow, sir. But first, an 't please the 
gods, 
I '11 hide my master from the flies, as deep 
As these poor pickaxes can dig ; and when [grave, 
With wild wood-leaves and weeds I ha' strew 'd his 39° 
88 



C^mDeltne. ^'^""^ ^"- 

And on it said a century of prayers, 
Such as I can, twice o'er, I '11 weep and sigh; 
And leaving so his service, follow you, 
So please you entertain me. 

Luc. Ay, good youth ; 

And rather father thee than master thee. 
My friends, 

The boy hath taught us manly duties : let us 
Find out the prettiest daisied plot we can, * 
And make him with our pikes and partisans 
A grave : come, arm him. Boy, he is preferr'd 400 
By thee to us, and he shall be interr'd 
As soldiers can. Be cheerful ; wipe thine eyes : 
Some falls are means the happier to arise. [Exeunt. 

SCENE III. — A room in Cymbeline 's palace. 

Enter Cymbeline, Lords, Pisanio, and Attend- 
ants. 

Cym. Again ; and bring me word how 't is with 
her. [Exit an Attendant. 

A fever with the absence of her son, 
A madness, of which her life 's in danger. Heavens, 
How deeply you at once do touch me ! Imogen, 
The great part of my comfort, gone; my queen 
Upon a desperate bed, and in a time 
When fearful wars point at me ; her son gone, 
So needful for this present : it strikes me, past 
The hope of comfort. But for thee, fellow. 
Who needs must know of her departure and 10 

Dost seem so ignorant, we '11 enforce it from thee 
By a sharp torture. 

Pis. Sir, my life is yours ; 

I humbly set it at your will ; but, for my mistress, 
I nothing know where she remains, why gone. 
Nor when she purposes return. Beseech your high- 
Hold me your loyal servant. [ness, 

First Lord. Goodjpoy liege, 

The day that she was missing he was here: 

89 



Act IV. 



Gpmbeline^ 



I dare be bound he 's true and shall perform 
All parts of his subjection loyally. For Cloten, 
There wants no diligence in seeking him, 20 

And will, no doubt, be found. 

Gym. The time is troublesome. 

[To Pisanio.] We '11 slip you for a season; but our 

jealousy 
Does yet depend. 

First Lord. So please your majesty, 
The Roman legions, all from Gallia drawn, 
Are landed on your coast, with a supply 
Of Roman gentlemen, by the senate sent. 

Cym. Now for the counsel of my son and queen 1 
I am amazed with matter. 

First Lord. Good my liege, 

Your preparation can affront no less 
Than what you hear of: come more, for more 

you 're ready : 30 

The want is but to put those powers in motion 
That long to move. 

Cym. I thank you. Let 's withdraw ; 

And meet the time as it seeks us. We fear not 
What can from Italy annoy us ; but 
We grieve at chances here. Away ! 

[Exeu7it all hut Pisanio. 

Pis. I heard no letter from my master since 
I wrote him Imogen was slain : 'tis strange : 
Nor hear I from my mistress, who did promise 
To yield me often tidings ; neither know I 
What is betid to Cloten ; but remain 40 

Perplex 'd in all. The heavens still must work. 
Wherein I am false I am honest ; not true, to be 

true. 
These present wars shall find I love my country. 
Even to the note o' the king, or I '11 fall in them. 
All other doubts, by time let them be clear'd ; 
Fortune brings in some boats that are not steer'd. 

[MU, 
90 



Gi^mbeltne* seen© iv. 

SCENE IV,— Wales: before the cave of Belarius. 

Enter Belarius, Guiderius, and Arviragus. 

Gui. The noise is round about us. 

Bel. Let us from it. 

Arv. What pleasure, sir, find we in life, to lock it 
From action and adventure ? 

Gui. Nay, what hope 

Have we in hiding us ? This way, the Romans 
Must or for Britons slay us, or receive us 
For barbarous and unnatural revolts 
During their use, and slay us after. 

Bel. Sons, 

We '11 higher to the mountains ; there secure us. 
To the kmg's party there 's no going : newness 
Of Cloten's death — we being not known, not mus-io 
Among the bands — may drive us to a render [ter'd 
Where we have lived, and so extort from 's that 
Which we have done, whose answer would be death 
Drawn on with torture. 

Gui. This is, sir, a doubt 

In such a time nothing becoming you, 
Nor satisfying us. 

Arv. It is not likely 

That when they hear the Roman horses neigh, 
Behold their quarter 'd fires, have both their eyes 
And ears so cloy'd importantly as now, 
That they will waste their time upon our note, 20 
To know from whence we are. 

Bel. O, I am known 

Of many in the army : many years, [him 

Though Cloten then but young, you see, not wore 
From my remembrance. And, besides, the king 
Hath not deserved my service nor your loves ; 
Who find in my exile the want of breeding, 
The certainty of this hard life ; aye hopeless 
To have the courtesy your cradle promised, 
91 



Act IV. 



Cpmljeltne. 



But to be still hot summer's tanlings and 
The shrinking slaves of winter. 

Gtii. Than be so 30 

Better to cease to be. Pray, sir, to the army: 
I and my brother are not known ; yourself 
So out of thought, and thereto so o'ergrown, 
Cannot be question'd. 

Arv. By this sun that shines, 

I '11 thither : what thing is it that I never 
Did see man die ! scarce ever look'd on blood. 
But that of coward hares, hot goats, and venison I 
Never bestrid a horse, save one that had 
A rider like myself, who ne'er wore rowel 
Nor iron on his heel ! I am ashamed 40 

To look upon the holy sun, to have 
The benefit of his blest beams, remaining 
So long a poor unknown. 

Qui. By heavens, I '11 go : 

If you will bless me, sir, and give me leave. 
I '11 take the better care, but if you will not, 
The hazard therefore due fall on me by 
The hands of Eomans ! 

Arv. So say I : amen. 

Bel. No reason I, since of your lives you set 
So slight a valuation, should reserve 
My crack 'd one to more care. Have with you, boys 1 50 
If in your country wars you chance to die, 
That is my bed too, lads, and there I '11 lie : 
Lead, lead. [Aside] The time seems long; their 

blood thinks scorn. 
Till it fly out and show them princes bom. [ExeunU 



92 



CK>mbeltne* scene i. 

ACT V. 

SCENE I. — Britain. Tfie Roman camp. 

Miter Posthumus, with a bloody handkerchief. 
Post. Yea, bloody cloth, I'll keep thee, for I 
wish'd 
Thou shouldst be colour'd thus. You married ones, 
If each of you should take this course, how many 
Must murder wives much better than themselves 
For wrying but a little ! O Pisanio ! 
Every good servant does not all commands : 
No bond but to do just ones. Gods ! if you 
Should have ta'en vengeance on my faults, I never 
Had lived to put on this : so had you saved 
The noble Imogen to repent, and struck lo 

Me, wretch more worth your vengeance. But, alack, 
You snatch some hence for little faults ; that 's love, 
To have them fall no more : you some permit 
To second ills with ills, each elder worse. 
And make them dread it, to the doers' thrift. 
But Imogen is your own : do your best wills. 
And make me blest to obey ! I am brought hither 
Among the Italian gentry, and to fight 
Against my lady's kingdom : 't is enough 
That, Britain, I have kill'd thy mistress; peace! 20 
I '11 give no wound to thee. Therefore, good heavens, 
Hear patiently my purpose : I '11 disrobe me 
Of these Italian weeds and suit myself 
As does a Briton peasant : so I '11 fight 
Against the part I come with ; so I '11 die 
For thee, O Imogen, even for whom my life 
Is every breath a death ; and thus, unknown. 
Pitied nor hated, to the face of peril 
Myself I '11 dedicate. Let me make men know 
More valour in me than my habits show. 30 

Gods, put the strength o' the Leonati in me! 
(To shame the guise o' the world, I will begin 
93 251 



Act V. C^mbellne* 

The fashion, less without and more within. lExit. 

SCENE U.— Field of battle between the British and 
Boman camps. 

Enter, from one side, Lucius, lachimo, and the Roman 
Army : from the other side, the British Army ; Leona- 
tus Posthumus following, like a poor soldier. They 
march over and go out. Then enter again, in skirmish, 
lachimo and Posthumus: he vanquisheth and dis- 
armeth lachimo, and then leaves him. 

lach. The heaviness and guilt within my bosom 
Takes off my manhood : I have belied a lady, 
The princess of this country, and the air on 't 
Revengingly enfeebles me ; or could this carl, 
A very drudge of nature's, have subdued me 
In my profession? Knighthoods and honours, borne 
As I wear mine, are titles but of scorn. 
If that thy gentry, Britain, go before 
This lout as he exceeds our lords, the odds 
Is that we scarce are men and you are gods. [Exit. lo 

The battle continues: the Britons fly; Cymbeline is 
taken: then enter, to his rescue, Belarius, Guiderius, 
and Arviragus. 

Bel. Stand, stand! "We have the advantage of 
the ground : 
The lane is guarded : nothing routs us but 
The yillany of our fears. 

^J!^* I Stand, stand, and fight ! 

lie-enter Posthumus, and seconds the Britons: they 
rescue CymbeUne, and exeunt. Then re-enter Lucius, 
and lachimo, vnth Imogren. 

Luc. Away, boy, from the troops, and save thyself; 
For friends kill friends, and the disorder 's such 
As war were hoodwink 'd. 

lach, 'T is their fresh supplies. 

94 



C^mJ)ClinC. scene m. 

Libc, It is a day turn'd strangely : or betimes 
Let 's re-inforce, or fly. [Exeunt 

SCENE III.— Another part of the field. 

Enter Posthumus and a British Lord. 

Lord. Camest thou from where they made the 

Post. I did ; [stand ? 

Though you, it seems, come from the fliers. 

Lord. I did. 

Post. No blame be to you, sir ; for all was lost, 
But that the heavens fought : the king himself 
Of his wings destitute, the army broken, 
And but the backs of Britons seen, all flying 
Through a strait lane ; the enemy full-hearted. 
Lolling the tongue with slaughtering, having work 
More plentiful than tools to do 't, struck down 
Some mortally, some slightly touch 'd, some falling lo 
Merely through fear ; that the strait pass was damm'd 
With dead men hurt behind, and cowards living 
To die with lengthen'd shame. 

Lard. Where was this lane ? 

Post. Close by the battle, ditch'd, and wall'd with 
Which gave advantage to an ancient soldier, [turf ; 
An honest one, I warrant ; who deserved 
So long a breeding as his white beard came to, 
In doing this for 's country : athwart the lane. 
He, with two striplings — lads more like to run 
The country base than to commit such slaughter ; 20 
With faces fit for masks, or rather fairer 
Than those for preservation cased, or shame, — 
Made good the passage ; cried to those that fled, 
' Our Britain's harts die flying, not our men : 
To darkness fleet souls that fly backwards. Stand ; 
Or we are Romans and will give you that 
Like beasts which you shun beastly, and may save. 
But to lookback in frown: stand, stand.' These 
Three thousand confident, in act as many — [three, 
For three performers are the file when all 30 

95 



Act V. Ci^mbellnc* 

The rest do nothing—with this word ' Stand, stand,' 
Accommodated by the place, more charming 
With their own nobleness, which could have turn'd 
A distafE to a lance, gilded pale looks, [coward 
Part shame, part spirit renew'd; that some, turn'd 
But by example — O, a sin in war, 
Damn'd in the first beginners ! — gan to look 
The way that they did, and to grin like lions 
Upon the pikes o' the hunters. Then began 
A stop i' the chaser, a retire, anon 40 

A rout, confusion thick; forthwith they fly 
Chickens, the way which they stoop 'd eagles ; slaves, 
The strides they victors made : and now our cowards, 
Like fragments in hard voyages, became 
The life o' the need : having found the back-door open 
Of the unguarded hearts, heavens, how they wound ! 
Some slain before ; some dying ; some their friends 
O'er-borne i' the former wave : ten, chased by one, 
Are now each one the slaughter-man of twenty : 
Those that would die or ere resist are grown 50 

The mortal bugs o' the field. 

Lord. This was strange chance : 

A narrow lane, an old man, and two boys. 

Post. Nay, do not wonder at it : you are made 
Rather to wonder at the things you hear 
Than to work any. Will you rhyme upon 't, 
And vent it for a mockery ? Here is one : 
' Two boys, an old man twice a boy, a lane. 
Preserved the Britons, was the Romans' bane.' 

Lord. Nay, be not angry, sir. 

Post. 'Lack, to what end ? 

Who dares not stand his foe, I '11 be his friend ; 60 
For if he '11 do as he is made to do, 
I know he '11 quickly fly my friendship too. 
You have put me into rhyme. 

Lord. Farewell ; you 're angry. 

Post. Still going ? [Exit Lord.] This is a lord ! 
O noble misery, 

96 



Ci^mbeUne, scene m. 

To be i' the field, and ask * what news ? ' of me ! 
To-day how many would have given their honours 
To have saved their carcases ! took heel to do 't, 
And yet died too ! I, in mine own woe charm 'd, 
Could not find death where I did hear him groan, 
Nor feel him where he struck : being an ugly monster, 70 
'T is strange he hides him in fresh cups, soft beds. 
Sweet words ; or hath more ministers than we 
That draw his knives i' the war. Well, I will find 
For being now a favourer to the Briton, [him : 

No more a Briton, I have resumed again 
The part I came in : fight I will no more. 
But yield me to the veriest hind that shall 
Once touch my shoulder. Great the slaughter is 
Here made by the Koman ; great the answer be 
Britons must take. For me, my ransom 's death ; 80 
On either side I come to spend my breath ; 
Which neither here I '11 keep nor bear again, 
But end it by some means for Imogen. 

Enter two British Captains and Soldiers. 

First Cap. Great Jupiter be praised ! Lucius is 
taken. 
'T is thought the old man and his sons were angels. 

Sec. Cap. There was a fourth man, in a silly habit, 
That gave the affront with them. 

First Cap. So 't is reported : 

But none of 'em can be found. Stand ! who 's there ? 

Post. A Koman, 
Who had not now been drooping here, if seconds 90 
Had answer 'd him. 

Sec. Cap. Lay hands on him ; a dog ! 

A leg of Kome shall not return to tell [service 

What crows have peck'd them here. He brags his 
As if he were of note ; bring him to the king. 

Enter Cymbeline, Belarius, Guiderius, Arviragus, 
Pisanio, Soldiers, Attendants, and Roman Captives. 
The Captains present Posthumus to Cymbeline, who 
delivers him over to a Gaoler : then exeunt omnes. 

35g 97 



Act V. ai^mbcllne* 



SCENE IV.— A British prison. 
Enter Posthumus and two Gaolers. 

First Gaol. You shall not now be stol'n, you have 
locks upon you ; 
So graze as you find pasture. 

Sec. Oaol. Ay, or a stomach. 

[Exeunt Gaolers. 

Post. Most welcome, bondage ! for thou art a way, 
I think, to liberty : yet am I better 
Than one that 's sick o' the gout ; since he had rather 
Groan so in perpetuity than be cured 
By the sure physician, death, who is the key 
To unbar these locks. My conscience, thou art 

fetter'd 
More than my shanks and wrists : you good gods, 

give me 
The penitent instrument to pick that bolt, lo 

Then, free for ever ! Is 't enough I am sorry ? 
So children temporal fathers do appease ; 
Gods are more full of mercy. Must I repent ? 
I cannot do it better than in gyves. 
Desired more than constrain 'd : to satisfy, 
If of my freedom 't is the main part, take 
'No stricter render of me than my all. 
I know you are more clement than vile men, 
Who of their broken debtors take a third, 
A sixth, a tenth, letting them thrive again 20 

On their abatement : that 's not my desire : 
For Imogen's dear life take mine ; and though 
'T is not so dear, yet 't is a life ; you coin'd it : 
'Tween man and man they weigh not every stamp ; 
Though light, take pieces'for the figure's sake : 
You rather mine, being yours : and so, great powers, 
If you will take this audit, take this life. 
And cancel these cold bonds. O Imogen I 
I '11 speak to thee in silence. [Sleeps* 

9S 



Cl^mbeltne^ scene IV. 



Solemn music. JEJnter, as in an apparition, Sicllius Leo- 
natus, father to Posthumus, an old man, attired like a 
warrior; leading in his hand an ancient matron, his 
wife, and mother to Fosthumiis, with music before them : 
then, after other music, follow the two young Leonati, 
brothers to Posthumus, with wounds as they died in the 
wars. They circle Posthumus round, as he lies sleeping, 

Sici, No more, thou thunder-master, show 30 

Thy spite on mortal flies : 
With Mars fall out, with Juno chide, 

That thy adulteries 
Rates and revenges. 
Hath my poor boy done aught but well, 

Whose face I never saw ? 
I died whilst in the womb he stay'd 

Attending nature's law : 
Whose father then, as men report 

Thou orphans' father art, 40 

Thou shouldst have been, and shielded him 

From this earth-vexing smart. 

Moth. Lucina lent not me her aid, 
But took me in my throes ; 
That from me was Posthumus ript, 
Came crying 'mongst his foes, 
A thing of pity ! 

Sici. Great nature, like his ancestry, 
Moulded the stuff so fair, 
That he deserved the praise o' the world, 50 
As great Sicilius' heir. 

First Bro. When once he was mature for man, 

In Britain where was he 
That could stand up his parallel ; 

Or fruitful object be 
In eye of Imogen, that best 

Could deem his dignity ? 

59 



Act V. d^mbeltne* 

Moth, With marriage wherefore was he mock'd, 
To be exiled, and thrown 
From Leonati seat, and cast 60 

From her his dearest one, 
Sweet Imogen ? 

Sici, Why did you suffer lachimo, 

Slight thing of Italy, 
To taint his nobler heart and brain 

With needless jealousy ; 
And to become the geek and scorn 

O' th' other's villany ? 

Sec, Bro. For this from stiller seats we came, 

Our parents and us twain, 70 

That striking in our country's cause 
Fell bravely and were slain. 

Our fealty and Tenantius' right 
With honour to maintain. 

First Bro, Like hardiment Posthumus hath 

To Cymbeline perform 'd : 
Then, Jupiter, thou king of gods, 

Why hast thou thus adjourn 'd 
The graces for his merits due, 

Bemg aU to dolours turn'd ? 80 

Sid. Thy crystal window ope ; look out ; 
No longer exercise 
Upon a valiant race thy harsh 
And potent injuries. 

Moth. Since, Jupiter, our son is good, 
Take off his miseries. 

Sici. Peep through thy marble mansion ; help ; 
Or we poor ghosts will cry 
To the shining sj^nod of the rest 
Against thy deity. 90 

100 



CBmbclfnc. *'='»"^- 

Both Bro. Help, Jupiter ; or we appeal, 
And from thy justice fly. 

Jupiter descends in thunder and lightning, sitting upon an 

eagle : he throws a thunder-bolt. The Ghosts fall on their 

knees. 
Jup. No more, you petty spirits of region low, 

Offend our hearing ; hush ! How dare you ghosts 
Accuse the thunderer, whose bolt, you know, 

Sky-planted batters all rebelling coasts ? 
Poor shadows of Elysium, hence, and rest 

Upon your never-withering banks of flowers : 
Be not with mortal accidents opprest ; 

No care of yours it is : you know 't is ours. loo 

Whom best I love I cross ; to make my gift, 

The more delay 'd, delighted. Be content ; 
Your low-laid son our godhead will uplift : 

His comforts thrive, his trials well are spent. 
Our Jovial star reign 'd at his birth, and in 

Our temple was he married. Kise, and fade. 
He shall be lord of lady Imogen, 

And happier much by his affliction made. 
This tablet lay upon his breast, wherein 

Our pleasure his full fortune doth confine : no 

And so, away : no further with your din 

Express impatience, lest you stir up mine. 

Mount, eagle, to my palace crystalline. [Ascends, 

Sici. He came in thunder ; his celestial breath 
Was sulphurous to smell : the holy eagle 
Stoop 'd, as to foot us : his ascension is 
More sweet than our blest fields : his royal bird 
Prunes the immortal wing and cloys his beak, 
As when his god is pleased. 

All, Thanks, Jupiter! 

Sid. The marble pavement closes, he is enter'd 120 
His radiant roof. Away ! and, to be blest, 
Let us with care perform his great behest. 

[The Ghosts vanish. 

Post. [ Waking] Sleep, thou hast been a grandsire, 
A father to me ; and thou hast created [and begot 

lOI 



Act V. 



C^mbeltne^ 



A mother and two brothers : but, O scorn ! 

Gone I they went hence so soon as they were born : 

And so I am awake. Poor wretches that depend 

On greatness' favour dream as I have done, 

Wake and find nothing. But, alas, I swerve : 

Many dream not to find, neither deserve, 130 

And yet are steep 'd in favours ; so am I, 

That have this golden chance and knov/ not why. 

"What fairies haunt this ground ? A book ? O rare 

Be not, as is our f angled world, a garment [one I 

Nobler than that it covers : let thy effects 

So follow, to be most unlike our courtiers, 

As good as promise. 

[Reads] ' When as a lion's whelp shall, to himself 
Unknown, without seeking find, and be embraced 
by a piece of tender air; and when from a stately 140 
cedar shall be lopped branches, which, being dead 
many years, shall after revive, be jointed to the 
old stock and freshly grow ; then shall Posthumus 
end his miseries, Britain be fortunate and flourish 
in peace and plenty.' 

'T is still a dream, or else such stuff as madmen 
Tongue and brain not ; either both or nothing ; 
Or senseless speaking or a speaking such 
As sense cannot untie. Be what it is, } 

The action of my life is like it, which 150 1 

I '11 keep, if but for sympathy. 

Re-enter First Gaoler. 

First Gaol, Come, sir, are you ready for death ? 

Post. Over-roasted rather ; ready long ago. 

First Gaol. Hanging is the word, sir : if you be 
ready for that, you are well cooked. 

Post. So, if I prove a good repast to the specta- 
tors, the dish pays the shot. 

First Gaol. A heavy reckoning for you, sir. But 
the comfort is, you shall be called to no more pay- 
ments, fear no more tavern-bills ; which are ofteni6o 
102 



Cpmbellne^ s^ene xv. 

the sadness of parting, as the procuring of mirth: you 
come in faint for want of meat, depart reeling with 
too much drink ; sorry that you have paid too much, 
and sorry that you are paid too much ; purse and 
brain both empty ; the brain the heavier for being 
too light, the purse too light, being drawn of heavi- 
ness : of this contradiction you shall now be quit. 
O, the charity of a penny cord ! it sums up thou- 
sands in a trice : you have no true debitor and cred- 
itor but it ; of what 's past, is, and to come, the 170 
discharge: your neck, sir, is pen, book and coun- 
ters ; so the acquittance follows. 

Post. I am merrier to die than thou art to live. 

First Gaol. Indeed, sir, he that sleeps feels not the 
tooth-ache : but a man that were to sleep your sleep, 
and a hangman to help him to bed, I think he would 
change places with his officer • for, look you, sir, you 
know not which way you shall go. 

Post. Yes, indeed do I, fellow. 

First Gaol. Your death has eyes in 's head then ; 180 
I have not seen him so pictured : you must either 
be directed by some that take upon them to know, 
or do take upon yourself that which I am sure you 
do not know, or jump the after inquiry on your own 
peril: and how you shall speed in your journey's 
end, I think you '11 never return to tell one. 

Post. I tell thee, fellow, there are none want eyes 
to direct them the way I am going, but such as 
wink and will not use them. 

First Gaol. What an infinite mock is this, that a 190 
man should have the best use of eyes to see the way 
of blindness 1 1 am sure hanging 's the way of wink- 
ing. 

miter a Messengrer. 

Mess. Knock off his manacles; bring your pris- 
oner to the king. 

Post. Thou bring'st good news ; I am called to be 
made free. 

103 



Act V. 



Cl^mbeltne* 



First Gaol. I '11 be hang'd then. J 

Post. Thou Shalt be then freer than a gaoler ; no 
bolts for the dead. 200 1 

[Exeunt Posthumus and Messenger. 
First Gaol. Unless a man would marry a gallows 
and beget young gibbets, I never saw one so prone. 
Yet, on my conscience, there are verier knaves de- 
sire to live, for all he be a Koman: and there be 
some of them too that die against their wills ; so 
should I, if I were one. I would we were all of one 
mind, and one mind good ; O, there were desolation 
of gaolers and gallowses ! I speak against my pres- 
ent profit, but my wish hath a preferment in 't. 

[Exeunt. 
SCENE V.—Cymheline^s tent. 

Enter Ojnnbeline, Belarius, Guiderius, Arvira- 
gna, Pisanio, Lords, Oflacers, and Attendants. 

Cym. Stand by my side, you whom the gods have 
Preservers of my throne. Woe is my heart [made 
That the poor soldier that so richly fought. 
Whose rags shamed gilded arms, whose naked breast 
Stepp'd before targes of proof, cannot be foimd : 
He shall be happy that can find him, if 
Our grace can make him so. 

Bel. I never saw 

Such noble fury in so poor a thing ; 
Such precious deeds in one that promised nought 
But beggary and poor looks. 

Cym. No tidings of him ? 10 

Pis. He hath been search'd among the dead and 
But no trace of him. [living, 

Cym. To niy grief, I am 

The heir of his reward; [To Belarius, Guiderius, 

and Arviragus] which I will add 
To you, the liver, heart and brain of Britain, 
By whom I grant she lives. 'T is now the time 
To ask of whence you are. Report it. 

Bel. Sir, 

104 



Cigmbeltne^ scene v. 

In Cambria are we born, and gentlemen : 
Further to boast were neither true nor modest, 
Unless I add, we are honest. 

Cym. Bow your knees. 

Arise my knights o' the battle : I create you 20 

Companions to our person and will fit you 
With dignities becoming your estates. 

Enter Cornelius and Ladies. 
There 's business in these faces. Why so sadly 
Greet you our victory ? you look like Romans, 
And not o' the court of Britain. 

Cor. Hail, great king I 

To sour your happiness, I must report 
The queen is dead. 

Cym, Who worse than a physician 

Would this report become ? But I consider. 
By medicine life may be prolong 'd, yet death 
Will seize the doctor too. How ended she ? 30 

Cor. With horror, madly dying, like her life, 
Which, being cruel to the world, concluded 
Most cruel to herself. What she confess 'd 
I will report, so please you : these her women 
Can trip me, if I err; who with wet cheeks 
Were present when she finish'd. 

Cym. Prithee, say. 

Cor. First, she confess'd she never loved you, only 
Affected greatness got by you. not you : 
Married your royalty, was wife to your place; 
Abhorr'd your person. 

Cym. She alone knew this; 40 

And, but she spoke it dying, I would not 
Believe her lips in openmg it. Proceed. 

Cor, Your daughter, whom she bore in hand to 
With such integrity, she did confess [love 

Was as a scorpion to her sight ; whose life, 
But that her flight prevented it, she had 
Ta'en off by poison. 

Cym. O most delicate fiend ! 

105 



Act V. 



Ci^mbcltne^ 



Who is 't can read a woman ? Is there more ? 

Cot. More, sir, and worse. She did confess she had 
For you a mortal mineral ; which, being took, 50 
Should by the minute feed on life and lingering 
By inches waste you : in which time she purposed, 
By watching, weeping, tendance, kissing, to 
O'ercome you with her show, and in time, 
When she had fitted you with her craft, to work 
Her son into the adoption of the crown : 
But, failing of her end by his strange absence. 
Grew shameless-desperate; open'd, in despite 
Of heaven and men, her purposes; repented 
The evils she hatch 'd were not effected ; so 60 

Despairing died. 

Cym. Heard you all this, her women ? 

First Lady, We did, so please your highness. 

Cym. Mine eyes 

Were not in fault, for she was beautiful ; 
Mine ears, that heard her flattery j nor my heart, 
That thought her like her seemmg; it had been 

vicious 
To have mistrusted her: yet, O my daughter I 
That it was folly in me, thou mayst say, 
And prove it in thy feeling. Heaven mend all I 

Enter Lucius, lachimo, the Soothsayer, and other 
Roman Prisoners, guarded; Posthumus behind, and 
Imogren. 

Thou comest not, Caius, now for tribute; that 
The Britons have razed but, though with the loss 7° 
Of many a bold one ; whose kinsmen have made suit 
That their good souls may be appeased with slaughter 
Of you their captives, which ourself have granted : 
So think of your estate. 

Luc. Consider, sir, the chance of war : the day 
Was yours by accident ; had it gone with us. 
We should not, when the blood was cool, have 
threaten'd 

106 



Cpmbeltne. ^^^^^ ^ 

Our prisoners with the sword. But since the gods 

Will have it thus, that nothing but our lives 

May be call'd ransom, let it come : sufflceth 80 

A Boman with a Roman's heart can suffer: 

Augustus lives to think on 't : and so much 

For my peculiar care. This one thing only 

I will entreat; my boy, a Briton born, 

Let him be ransom 'd : never master had 

A page so kind, so duteous, diligent, 

So tender over his occasions, true. 

So feat, so nurse-like : let his virtue join [ness 

With my request, which I '11 make bold your high- 

Cannot deny ; he hath done no Briton harm, 90 

Though he have served a Roman : save him, sir, 

And spare no blood beside. 

Gym. I have surely seen him : 

His favour is familiar to me. Boy, 
Thou hast look'd thyself into my grace. 
And art mine own. I know not why, wherefore, 
To say ' live, boy : ' ne'er thank thy master ; live : 
And ask of Cymbeline what boon thou wilt, 
Fitting my bounty and thy state, I '11 give it ; 
Yea, though thou do demand a prisoner, 
The noblest ta'en. 

Imo. I humbly thank your highness. 100 

Xwc. I do not bid thee beg my life, good lad ; 
And yet I know thou wilt. 

Imo. No, no : alack, 

There 's other work in hand : I see a thing 
Bitter to me as death : your life, good master, 
Must shuffle for itself. 

Luc. The boy disdains me, 

He leaves me, scorns me : briefly die their joys 
That place them on the truth of girls and boys. 
Why stands he so perplex 'd ? 

Gym. What wouldst thou, boy ? 

I love thee more and more : think more and more 
What 's best to ask. Know'st him thou look'st on ? 
speak, no 

107 



Act V. C^mbeltnc. 

"Wilt have him live ? Is he thy kin ? thy friend ? 

Imo. He is a Roman ; no more kin to me [sal, 
Than I to your higlniess ; who, being born your vas- 
Am something nearer. 

Cym. "Wherefore eyest him so ? 

Imo. I '11 tell you, sir, in private, if you please 
To give me hearing. 

Cym. Ay, with all my heart. 

And lend my best attention. What 's thy name ? 

Imo. Fidele, sir. 

Cym. Thou 'rt my good youth, my page ; 

I '11 be thy master : walk with me ; speak freely. 

[Cymheline and Imogen converse apart. 

Bel. Is not this boy revived from death ? 

Arv. One sand anotheri2o 

Not more resembles that sweet rosy lad 
Who died, and was Fidele. What think you ? 

Qui. The same dead thing alive. 

Bel. Peace, peace! see further; he eyes us not; 
forbear ; 
Creatures may be alike : were 't he, I am sure 
He would have spoke to us. 

Gui. But we saw him dead. 

Bel. Be silent ; let 's see further. 

Fis. [Aside'\ It is my mistress : 

Since she is living, let the time run on 
To good or bad. 

[^Cymheline and Imogen come forward. 

Cym. Come, stand thou by our side ; 

Make thy demand aloud. [To lachimo] Sir, step 

you forth * 130 

Give answer to this boy, and do it freely ; 
Or, by our greatness and the grace of it, 
Which is our honour, bitter torture shall [him. 
Winnow the truth from falsehood. On, speak to 

Imo. My boon Is, that this gentleman may render 
Of whom he had this ring. 

Post. [Asids] What 's that to him ? 

108 



C^mbclinc. 



Scene V. 



Gym. That diamond upon your finger, say 
How came it yours ? 

lack. Thou 'It torture me to leave unspoken that 
Which, to be spoke, would torture thee. 

Gym. How ! me ? 140 

lach. I am glad to be constrain 'd to utter that 
Which torments me to conceal. By villany 
I got this ring : 't was Leonatus' jewel ; 
Whom thou didst banish; and — which more may 

grieve thee, 
As it doth me — a nobler sir ne'er lived [lord ? 

'Twixt sky and ground. Wilt thou hear more, my 

Gym. All that belongs to this. 

lack. That paragon, thy daughter, — 

For whom my heart drops blood, and my false spirits 
Quail to remember — Give me leave ; I faint. 

Gym. My daughter ! what of her ? Kenew thy 
strength : 150 

I had rather thou shouldst live while nature will 
Than die ere I hear more : strive, man, and speak. 

lach. Upon a time, — unhappy was the clock 
That struck the hour ! — it was in Rome,— accursed 
The mansion where ! — 't was- at a feast, — O, would 
Our viands had been poison 'd, or at least 
Those which I heaved to head! — the good Post- 
humus — 
What should I say ? he was too good to be 
Where ill men were ; and was the best of all 
Amongst the rarest of good ones, — sitting sadly, 160 
Hearing us praise our loves of Italy 
For beauty that made barren the swell 'd boast 
Of him that best could speak, for feature, laming 
The shrine of Yen us, or straight-pight Minerva, 
Postures beyond brief nature, for condition, 
A shop of all the qualities that man 
Loves woman for, besides that hook of wiving, 
Pairness which strikes the eye — 

Gym. I stand on fire : 

109 252 



Act V. Ci^mbelinc* 

Come to the matter. 

lach. All too soon I shall, [mus, 

Unless thou wouldst grieve quickly. This Posthu- 170 
Most like a noble lord in love and one 
That had a royal lover, took his hint ; 
And, not dispraising v^^hom we praised, — therein 
He was as calm as virtue — he began [made, 

His mistress' picture; which by his tongue being 
And then a mind put in 't, either our brags 
Were crack 'd of kitchen-trulls, or his description 
Proved us unspeaking sots. 

Gym. Nay, nay, to the purpose. 

lach. Your daughter's chastity — there it begins. 
He spake of her, as Dian had hot dreams, 180 

And she alone were cold : whereat I, wretch, 
Made scruple of his praise ; and wager'd with him 
Pieces of gold 'gainst this which then he wore 
Upon his Tionour'd finger, to attain 
In suit the place of 's bed and win this ring 
By hers and mine adultery. He, true knight, 
No lesser of her honour confident 
Than I did truly find her, stakes this ring ; 
And would so, had it been a carbuncle 
Of Phoebus' wheel, and might so safely, had it 190 
Been all the worth of 's car. Away to Britain 
Post I in this design : well may you, sir, 
Remember me at court ; where I was taught 
Of your chaste daughter the wide difference 
'Twixt amorous and villanous. Being thus quench 'd 
Of hope, not longing, mine Italian brain 
'Gan in your duller Britain operate 
Most vilely ; for my vantage, excellent : 
And, to be brief, my practice so prevail 'd, 
That I return 'd with simular proof enough 200, 

To make the noble Leonatus mad, 
By wounding his belief in her renown 
With tokens thus, and thus ; averring notes 
Of chamber-hanging, pictures, this her bracelet,— 
O cunning, how 1 got it ! —nay, some marks 
no 



dl^mbeline^ scene v. 

Of secret on her person, that he could not 
But think her bond of chastity quite crack 'd, 
I having ta'en the forfeit. Whereupon — 
Methinks, I see him now — 

Post, [Advancing] Ay, so thou dost, 

Italian fiend I Ay me, most credulous fool, 210 

Egregious murderer, thief, any thing 
That 's due to all the villains past, in being. 
To come ! O, give me cord, or knife, or poison. 
Some upright justicer ! Thou, king, send out 
For torturers ingenious : it is I 
That all the abhorred things o' the earth amend 
By being worse than they. I am Posthumus, 
That kill'd thy daughter : — villain-like, I lie — 
That caused a lesser villain than myself, 
A sacrilegious thief, to do 't : the temple 220 

Of virtue was she ; yea, and she herself. 
Spit, and throw stones, cast mire upon me, set 
The dogs o' the street to bay me : every villain 
Be call'd Posthumus Leonatus ; and 
Be villany less than 't was I O Imogen ! 
My queen, my life, my wife I O Imogen, 
Imogen, Imogen ! 

Imo. Peace, my lord ; hear, hear — 

Post. Shall 's have a play of this ? Thou scorn- 
ful page. 
There lie thy part. [Striking her : she falls. 

Pis. O, gentlemen, help ! 

Mine and your mistress I O, my lord Posthumus ! 230 
You ne'er kill'd Imogen till now. Help, help ! 
Mine honour 'd lady ! 

Cym. Does the world go round ? 

Post. How come these staggers on me ? 

Pis. Wake, my mistress ! 

Cym. If this be so, the gods do mean to strike me 
To death with mortal joy. 

Pis. How fares my mistress ? 

Into. O, get thee from my sight ; 
Thou gavest me poison : dangerous fellow, hence ! 
Ill 



Act V. 



C^mbeltne^ 



Breathe not where princes are. 

Cym. The tune of Imogen ! 

Pis. Lady, 
The gods throw stones of sulphur on me, if 240 

That box I gave you was not thought by me 
A precious thing : I had it from the queen. 

Vym. New matter still ? 

Imo. It poison'd me. 

Cor. O gods I 

I left out one thing which the queen confess'd. 
Which must approve thee honest : ' If Pisanio 
Have ' said she ' given his mistress that confection 
Which I gave him for cordial, she is served 
As I would serve a rat.' 

Cym. What 's this, Cornelius ? 

Cor. The queen, sir, very oft importuned me 
To temper poisons for her, still pretending 250 

The satisfaction of her knowledge only 
In killing creatures vile, as cats and dogs, 
Of no esteem : I, dreading that her purpose 
Was of more danger, did compound for her 
A certain stuff, which, being ta'en, would cease 
The present power of life, but in short time 
All offices of nature should again 
Do their due functions. Have you ta'en of it ? 

Imo. Most like I did, for I was dead. 

Bel. My boys, 

There was our error. 

Gui. This is, sure, Fidele. 260 

Imo. Why did you throw your wedded lady from 
Think that you are upon a rock ; and now [you ? 
Throw me again. [Embracing him. i 

Post. Hang there like fruit, my soul, 

Till the tree die ! 

Cym. How now, my flesh, my child I 

What, makest thou me a dullard in this act ? 
Wilt thou not speak to me ? 

Imo, [Kneeling] Your blessing, sir, 

112 



C^mbclinc. 



Scene V. 



Bel. [To Guiderius and Arviragus] Though you 
did love this youth, I blame ye not ; 
You had a motive for 't. 

Cym. My tears that fall 

Prove holy water on thee ! Imogen, 
Thy mother 's dead. 

Imo. I am sorry for 't, my lord. 270 

Cym. O, she was naught ; and long of her it was 
That we meet here so strangely : but her son 
Is gone, we know not how nor where. 

Pis. My lord, 

Now fear is from me, I '11 speak troth. Lord Cloten» 
Upon my lady's missing, came to me 
With his sword drawn ; foam'd at the mouth, and 

swore. 
If I discover 'd not which way she was gone, 
It was my instant death. By accident, 
I had a feigned letter of my master's 
Then in my pocket ; which directed him 280 

To seek her on the mountains near to Milford ; 
Where, in a frenzy, in my master's garments, 
Which he enforced from me, away he posts 
With unchaste purpose and with oath to violate 
My lady's honour : what became of him 
I further know not. 

Gui. Let me end the story : 

I slew him there. 

Cym. Marry, the gods forfend 1 

I would not thy good deeds should from my lips 
Pluck a hard sentence: prithee, valiant youth. 
Deny 't again. 

Gui. I have spoke it, and I did it. 290 

Cym. He was a prince. 

Gui. A most incivil one : the wrongs he did me 
Were nothing prince-like ; for he did provoke me 
With language that would make me spurn the sea, 
If it could so roar to me : I cut ofi 's head ; 
And am right glad he is not standing here 

35^ "3 



Act ^. 



C^mbeltne* 



To tell this tale of mine. 

Cym, I am sorry for thee : 

By thine own tongue thou art condemn 'd, and must 
Endure our law : thou 'rt dead. 

Imo. That headless man 

I thought had been my lord. 

Cym. Bind the offender, 30x1 

And take him from our presence. 

Bel. Stay, sir king : 

This man is better than the man he slew. 
As well descended as thyself ; and hath 
More of thee merited than a band of Clotens 
Had ever scar for. [ To the Guard] Let his arms alone; 
They were not born for bondage. 

Gym. Why, old soldier, 

Wilt thou undo the worth thou art unpaid for, 
By tasting of our wrath ? How of descent 
As good as we ? 

Arv. In that he spake too far. 

Cym. And thou shalt die for 't. 1 

Bel. We will die all three 13 1^ 

But I will prove that two on 's are as good 
As I have given out him. My sons, I must. 
For mine own part, unfold a dangerous speech, , 

Though, haply, well for you. 

Arv. Your danger 's ours. 

Gui. And our good his. 

Bel. Have at it then, by leave. 

Thou hadst, great king, a subject who 
Was call'd Belarius. 

Cym. What of him ? he is 

A banish 'd traitor. 

Bel. He it is that hath 

Assumed this age ; indeed a banish 'd man; 
I know not how a traitor. 

Cym. Take him hence : 32 

The whole world shall not save him. 

Bel. Not too hot; 

First pay me for the nursing of thy sons ; 
114 



(L^m\)cUnc. 



Scene V. 



And let it be confiscate all, so soon 
As I have received it. 

Cym. Nursing of my sons ! 

Bel. I am too blunt and saucy : here 's my knee: 
Ere I arise, I will prefer my sons ; 
Then spare not the old father. Mighty sir. 
These two young gentlemen, that call me father 
And think they are my sons, are none of mine ; 
They are the issue of your loins, my liege, 330 

And blood of your begetting. 

Cym. How ! my issue ! 

Bel. So sure as you your father 's. I, old Morgan, 
Am that Belarius whom you sometime banish 'd : 
Your pleasure was my mere offence, my punish- 
ment 
Itself, and all my treason ; that I suffer'd 
Was all the harm I did. These gentle princes— 
For such and so they are — these twenty years 
Have I train'd up : those arts they have as I 
Could put into them ; my breeding was, sir, as 
Your highness knows. Their nurse, Euriphile, 340 
Whom for the theft I wedded, stole these children 
Upon my banishment : I moved her to 't. 
Having received the punishment before. 
For that which I did then : beaten for loyalty 
Excited me to treason : their dear loss. 
The more of you 't was felt, the more it shaped 
Unto my end of stealing them. But, gracious sir, 
Here are your sons again ; and I must lose 
Two of the sweet 'st companions in the world. 
The benediction of these covering heavens 35° 

Fall on their heads like dew ! for they are worthy 
To inlay heaven with stars. 

Cym. Thou weep'st, and speak 'st. 

The service that you three have done is more 
Unlike than this thou tell'st. I lost my children : 
If these be they, I know not how to wish 
A pair of worthier sons. 

Bel, Be pleased awhile. 

"5 



Act V. Ci^mbellne* 

This gentleman, whom I call Polydore, 

Most worthy prince, as yours, is true Guiderius : 

This gentleman, my Cadwal, Arviragus, 

Your younger princely son ; he, sir, was lapp'd 360 

In a most curious mantle, wrought by the hand 

Of his queen mother, which for more probation 

I can with ease produce. 

Cym. Guiderius had 

Upon his neck a mole, a sanguine star ; 
It was a mark of wonder. 

Bel. This is he; 

Who hath upon him still that natural stamp : 
It was wise nature's end in the donation, 
To be his evidence now. 

Cym. O, what, am I 

A mother to the birth of three ? Ne'er mother 
Rejoiced deliverance more. Blest pray you be, 370(; 
That, after this strange starting from your orbs, ij 
You may reign in them now ! O Imogen, 
Thou hast lost by this a kingdom. 

Imo. No, my lord; 

I have got two worlds by 't. O my gentle brothers, 
Have we thus met ? O, never say hereafter 
But I am truest speaker : you call'd me brother, 
When I was but your sister ; I you brothers. 
When ye were so indeed. 

Cym. Did you e'er meet ? 

Arv. Ay, my good lord. 

Qui. And at first meeting loved ; 

Continued so, until we thought he died. 38ci 

Cor. By the queen's dram she swallow'd. 

Cym. O rare instinct I 

When shall I hear all through ? This fierce abridge- 
ment 
Hath to it circumstantial branches, which 
Distinction should be rich in. Where ? how lived 

you? 
And when came you to serve our Roman captive ? 
116 



CpmbellnC, scene V. 

How parted with your brothers? how first met 

them ? 
Why fled you from the court ? and whither ? These, 
And your three motives to the battle, with 
I know not how much more, should be demanded; 
And all the other by-dependencies, 390 

From chance to chance : but nor the time nor 
Will serve our long inter 'gatories. See, [place 
Posthumus anchors upon Imogen, 
And she, like harmless lightning, throws her eye 
On him, her brothers, me, her master, hitting 
Each object with a joy : the counterchange 
Is severally in all. Let 's quit this ground, 
And smoke the temple with our sacrifices. 
[To Belarius] Thou art my brother; so we '11 hold 
thee ever. 

Imo. You are my father too, and did relieve me.400 
To see this gracious season. 

Cym. All o'erjoy'd, 

Save these in bonds : let them be joyful too, 
For they shall taste our comfort. 

Imo. My good master, 

I will yet do you service. 

Luc. Happy be you 1 

Cym. The forlorn soldier, that so nobly fought, 
He would have well becomed this place, and graced 
The thankings of a king. 

Post. I am, sir, 

The soldier that did company these three 
In poor beseeming ; 't was a fitment for 
The purpose I then follow'd. That I was he, 410 

Speak, lachimo : I had you down and might 
Have made you finish. 

lack. [Kneeling] I am down again : 

But now my heavy conscience sinks my knee. 
As then your force did. Take that life, beseech 

you, 
Which I so often owe : but your ring first ; 
117 



Act V. 



Cl^mbeline* 



And here the bracelet of the truest princess 
That ever swore her faith. 

Post. Kneel not to me : 

The power that I have on you is to spare you; 
The malice towards you to forgive you : live, 
And deal with others better. 

Cym. Nobly doom'd I 420 

We '11 learn our f reeness of a son-in-law ; 
Pardon 's the word to all. 

A7'v. You holp us, sir, 

As you did mean indeed to be our brother ; 
Joy 'd are we that you are. 

Post. Your servant, princes. Good my lord of 
Rome, 
Call forth your soothsayer: as I slept, methought 
Great Jupiter, upon his eagle back'd, 
Appear 'd to me, with other spritely shows 
Of mine own kindred : when I waked, I found 
This label on my bosom ; whose containing 4301 

Is so from sense in hardness, that I can 
Make no collection of it : let him show 
His skill in the construction. 

Lite. Philarmonus 1 

Sooth. Here, my good lord. 

Luc. Bead, and declare the meaning. 

Sooth. [Reads] ' When as a lion's whelp shall, to 
himself unknown, without seeking find, and be em- 
braced by a piece of tender air ; and when from a 
stately cedar shall be lopped branches, which, being 
dead many years, shall after revive, be jointed to 
the old stock, and freshly grow; then shall Post-44<i| 
humus end his miseries, Britain be fortunate and 
flourish in peace and plenty.' 
Thou, Leonatus, art the lion's whelp ; 
The fit and apt construction of thy name, 
Being Leo-natus, doth import so much. 
[2b Cymbeline] The piece of tender air, thy virtu- 
ous daughter, 

118 



(T^mbeltne^ scene v. 

Which we call ' mollis aer ;' and * mollis aer' 
We term it * mulier : ' which * mulier ' I divine 
Is this most constant wife ; who, even now, 
Answering the letter of the oracle, 450 

Unknown to you, unsought, were clipp'd about 
With this most tender air. 

Oym. This hath some seeming. 

Sooth, The lofty cedar, royal Cymbeline, 
Personates thee : and thy lopp'd branches point 
Thy two sons forth; who, by Belarius stol'n, 
For many years thought dead, are now revived, 
To the majestic cedar join'd, whose issue 
Promises Britain peace and plenty. 

Cym. Well; 

My peace we will begin. And, Caius Lucius, 
Although the victor, we submit to Caesar, 460 

And to the Roman empire ; promising 
To pay our wonted tribute, from the which 
We were dissuaded by our wicked queen ; 
Whom heavens, in justice, both on her and hers, 
Have laid most heavy hand. 

Sooth, The fingers of the powers above do tune 
The harmony of this peace. The vision 
Which I made knowTi to Lucius, ere the stroke 
Of this yet scarce-cold battle, at this instant 
Is full accomplish 'd ; for the Roman eagle, 470 

Prom south to west on wing soaring aloft, 
Lessen'd herself, and in the beams o' the sun 
So vanish'd : which foreshow 'd our princely eagle, 
The imperial Caesar, should again unite 
His favour with the radiant Cymbeline, 
Which shines here in the west. 

Cym. Laud we the gods ; 

And let our crooked smokes climb to their nostrils 
Prom our blest altars. Publish we this peace 
To all our subjects. Set we forward : let 
A Roman and a British ensign wave 480 

Friendly together : so through Lud's-town march: 



Act V. Ci^mbeltne, 

And in the temple of great Jupiter 
Our peace we '11 ratify ; seal it with feasts. 
Set on there ! 2^ever was a war did cease, 
Ere bloody hands were wash'd, with such a peace. 

[jExeunt. 



I20 



GLOSSARY. 



Abode ; " desire my man's a.", i.e. 
bid my servant to stay ; I. vi. 52. 

Absolute, absolutely certain, posi- 
tive ; IV. ii. 106. 

Abuse, deceive; I. vi. 130; IV. ii. 
351. 

Abused, deceived ; I. iv. 118 ; III. iv. 
104. 

Act, action, operation ; I. V. 22. 

Action, state, course ; V. iv. 150. 

Adjourn'd, deferred ; V. iv. 78. 

Admiration, wonder, astonishment; 
I. iv. 5 ; I. vi. 37. 

, veneration and wonder ; IV. ii. 

232. 

Adorer, idolater ; I. iv. 72. 

Adventure, run the risk ; III. iv. 
155 

Adventured, dared ventured; I. 
vi. 171. 

Advice; "best a.", deliberate con- 
sideration ; I. i. 156. 

Afeard, afraid ; IV. ii. 94. 

Affected, loved ; V. v. 38. 

Affiance, fidelity ; I. vi. 162. 

Affirmation ; " bloody a.", sealing 
the truth with his blood" ; I. iv. 
61. 

Affront ; " gave the a.", confront- 
ed the enemy ; V. iii. 87. 

, confront ; IV. iii. 29. 

Afric, Africa: I. i. 167. 

After, afterwards; I. v. 80; I. vi. 
49; II. iii. 17. 

, according to; IV. ii. 334. 

After-eye, look after ; I. iii. 16. 

Air's from, air there is away from ; 
III. iii. 29. 

Albeit, although ; II. iii. 58. 



Allow 'D, acknowledged ; III. iii. 

17. 
Amazed, confused ; IV. iii. 28. 
Amend, make better ; V. v. 216. 
Ancient, old, aged ; V. iii. 15. 
Andirons, irons at the side of the 

fireplace ; II. iv. 88. 
Annoy, harm ; IV. iii. 34. 
Answer, punishment ; IV. iv. 13. 

, return, retaliation ; V. iii. 79. 

, correspond to : IV. ii. 192. 

Answer'd him, done like him ; V. 

iii. 91. 
Ape, mimic, imitator ; II. ii. 31. 
Apparent, plain, evident ; II. iv. 56. 
Apprehension, conception; IV. ii. 

110. 
Approbation, attestation ; I. iv. 128. 
Approve, prove ; IV. ii. 380 ; V. v. 

245. 
Approvers; "their a.", those who 

make trial of their courage ; II. iv. 

25. 
Arabian bird, the phoenix ; I. vi. 

17. 
Arm, take up into the arms ; IV. ii. 

400. 
Arras, hangings of tapestry ; II. ii. 

26. 
As, for ; I. vi. 129. 

, like ; II. iv. 84. 

, as if; IV. ii. 50 ; V. ii. 16 ; V. iv. 

116. 
Assumed, put on ; V. v. 319. 
At, on ; III. iv. 192. 
Atone, reconcile ; I. iv. 40. 
Attemptable, open (o temptation ; 

I. iv. 63. 
Attended, listened to ; I. vi. 141. 



121 



Glossary. 



Cpmbeline^ 



Attending, doing service ; III. iii. 
22. 

, awaiting; V. iv. 38. 

Averring, alleging ; V. v. 203. 
Avoid !, begone ! away ! ; I. i. 125. 

Back'd, seated upon the back of; 
V. v. 427. 

Base, a game in whicli the quickest 
runner is the winner ; V. iii. 20. 

Basilisk, the fabulous monster 
whose look was supposed to strike 
the beholder with death ; II. iv. 
107. 

Bate, beat down, deduct ; III. ii. 54. 

Bay, bark at ; V. v. 223. 

Beastly, like beasts ; III. iii. 40 ; V. 
iii. 27. 

Becomed, become ; V. v. 406, 

Behalf ; in the clock's b.", i.e. do- 
ing the service of a clock ; III. ii. 
73. 

Belch from, vomit from ; III. v. 
135. 

Bent, cast, look ; I. i. 13. 

Beseech, I beseech ; I. i. 153. 

Beseeming, appearance ; V. v. 409. 

Betid, happened; (Ff., "betide'')', 

IV. iii. 40. 

Be what it is ; let it be what it may ; 

V. iv. 149. 

Beyond nature, which are immor- 
tal ; V. V. 165. 

Bloods, temperaments : I. i. 1. 

Bold, sure, confident ; II iv. 2. 

Bondage, obligation ; II. iv. 111. 

Book, tablet ; V. iv. 133. 

Boot; "to b.", in addition; I. v. 
69 ; II. iii. 32. 

Bore in hand, falsely pretended, 
abused with false hopes ; V. v. 43. 

Bow, makes to bow ; III. iii. 3. 

, stoop in entering ; III. iii. 83. 

Brain not, do not understand ; V. 
iv. 147. 

Brands, torches ; II. iv. 91. 

Bravely, well ; II. ii. 15. 

Bravery, " state of defiance " ; III. 
i. 18. 

Brawns, arms ; IV. ii. 311. 

Breeding, life ; V. iii. 17. 

Bring, accompany, escort ; I. i. 171 



Brogues, thick shoes ; IV. ii. 214. 

Bugs, bugbears ; V. iii. 51. 

But. except, without ; V. v. 311. 

By, from ; II. iv. 77,78; III. v. 58. 

B Y-DEPENDENCiES , accessory circum- 
stances ; V. V. 390. 

By-peeping, looking aside, side-long 
glances; (Johnson conj., adopted 
by Steevens, 1773, " lye peeping" ; 
Collier MS., " bo-peeping " ; Keight- 
ley , " bide-peeping " ; &c., &c.); I. 
vi. 107. 

Calves'-guts, fiddle-Strings ; II. iii. 

31. 
Capon, perhaps used quibblingly for 

" cap on," i.e. " with a coxcomb " ; 

11.1.24. 
Carl, churl, peasant ; V. ii. 4. 
Carriage ; " your c", carrying you 

ofl';III. iv.l89. 
Cased, covered ; V. iii. 22. 
Cave, live in a cave ;IV. ii. 138. 
Cave-keeper, one who lives in a 

cave ; IV. ii. 298. 
Century, hundred ; IV. ii. 391. 
Certainty, certain results ; IV. iv. 

27. 
Chafpless, without chaff, I. vi. 177. 
Chance, event, circumstance ; V. v. 

391. 
Change you, do you change colour ; 

I. vi. 11. 

Characters, handwriting; III. ii. 

28. 

, letters ; IV. ii. 49. 

Charge, burden, take hold of; III. 

iv. 43. 
Charm' D, made invulnerable ; V. iii. 

68. 
Charming, having magical protect- 
ing power ; I. iii. 35. 
; " morec." i.e. charming more, 

bewitching others more ; V. iii. 

32. 
Check, reproof; III. iii. 22. 
Cinque-spotted, with flvie-spots ; II. 

ii. 38. 
Circumstances, details, particulars; 

II. iv. 62. 

Citizen, cockney-bred, effeminate ; 
IV. ii. 8. 



Gi^mbeltnc. 



Glossary. 



Civil, civilized ; III. vi. 23, 
Clean, altogether ; III. vi. 20. 
Clipp'd, surrounded, encircled ; II. 

iii. 136. 
Clipp'd about, embraced ; V. v. 451. 
Close, secret ; III. v. 85. 
Closet, private chamber ; I. v. 84. 
Cloth, dress, livery ; II. iii. 125. 
Clotpoll, head ; IV. ii. 184. 
Clouted brogues, hob-nailed boots ; 

IV. ii. 214. 

Cloys, strokes with his claw ; V. 

iv. 118. 
Cognizance, visible token; II. iv. 

127. 
Collection of, inference from ; V. 

V. 432. 

Colour; "against all c", contrary 
to all appearance of right ; III. i. 
60. 

Colours ; "under her c", i.e. " un- 
der her banner, by her influence ' ' ; 
I.iv.20. 

Comport, happiness, joy ; V. v. 403. 

Common-kissing, kissing anything 
and everything ; III. iv. 165. 

Companion, fellow ; (used contempt- 
uously) ; II. i. 28. 

Company, accompany ; V. v. 408. 

Comparative for, comparing with ; 
II. iii. 131. 

Conclusions, experiments ; I. v. 18. 

Condition, character ; V. v. 165. 

Conduct, escort, safe-conduct ; III. 
V.8. 

Confections, composition of drugs; 
I. V. 15 ; V. V. 246. 

Confident; "three thousand c", 
with the confidence of three thou- 
sand ; V. iii. 29. 

CoNFiNERS, borderers ; IV. ii. 337. 

Confounded, destroyed ; I. iv. 52. 

Consequence, succession ; II. iii.123. 

Consider, pay, reward ; II. iii. 30. 

, take into consideration ; V. v. 

28. 

Constant-qualified, faithful ; I. iv. 
63. 

Construction, interpretation; V. v. 
433. 

Consummation, end, death ; IV. ii. 
280. 



Containing ; " whose c", the con- 
tents of which ; V. v. 430. 

Content thee, trouble not thyself 
about it ; I. v. 26. 

Convey'd, stolen ; I. i. 63. 

Convince, overcome ; I. iv. 99. 

Cordial, reviving to the spirits ; I. 
V.64. 

Counterchange, exchange; V. v. 
396. 

Counters, round pieces of metal 
used in calculations; V. iv. 171. 

Crack'd, blustered, bragged ; V. v. 
177. 

, broken ; V. v. 207. 

Crare, skiff, a small vessel ; (Symp- 
son'sconj., adopted bySteevens: 
Ff., "care" ; Warburton, adopted 
by Theobald, ''carrack"); Han- 
mer, " carack " ; IV. ii. 205. 

Crescent, increasing, growing; I. 
iv. 2. 

Crop, harvest, produce ; I. vi. 32. 

Curb'd, restrained ; II. iii. 122. 

Curious, careful ; I. vi. 190. 

Cutter, sculptor ; II. iv. 83. 

Cydnus, a nver in Cilicia ; II. iv. 
71. 

Cytherea, Venus ; II. ii. 14. 

Damm'd, stopped up ; V. iii. 11. 

Dark, mean, obscure ; III. iv. 146. 

Dear, deeply felt ; V. v. 345. 

Debitor and creditor, account 
book ; V. iv. 169. 

Decay, destroy ; I. v. 56. 

Definite, resolute ; I. vi. 42. 

Delicate, alluring ; (?) ingenious, 
artful ; V. v. 47. 

Delighted, delightful ; V. iv. 102. 

Depend, impend, remain in sus- 
pense ; IV. iii. 23. 

Depending, resting, leaning ; II. iv. 
91. 

Desperate ; "upon a d. bed ", dan- 
gerously ill ; IV. iii. 6. 

Despite ; " in my d.", in defiance of 
me ; IV. i. 15. 

Die the death, die a violent death ; 
IV. ii. 96. 

Differing multitudes, wavering 
multitudes, fickle mobs ; Ill.vi. 86. 



123 



Glossary. 



(T^mbellne* 



Discover, disclose, confess ; I. vi. 97 ; 

III. V. 95. 
DiSEDGED, surfeited ; III, Iv. 95, 
Dismission, rejection, dismissal ; II, 

iii. 54. 
DooM'D, decided ; V. v. 420. 
Doubting, suspecting that ; I. vi. 94, 
Drawn, tapped, emptied ; V. iv. 166, 
Drawn to head, gathered together, 

levied ; 111. v, 25. 
Drug-damn'd, detested for its drugs 

and poisons ; III, iv. 15. 

Earnest, money paid beforehand as 

a pledge; 1. v, 65. 
Effect; " e. of judgment", i.e. 

the result of misjudgment; IV, ii. 

111. 
Elder, elder-tree ; IV. ii. 59. 
, i.e. later, of more recent date; 

V. i. 14. 
Elected, chosen ; III. iv. 111. 
Election, choice ; I. ii. 28. 
Empery, empire; I. vi. 119. 
Enchafed, enraged ; IV. ii. 174. 
Encounter, meet; I. iii. 32. 

, meet with; I. vi. 111. 

Ended, died ; V. v. 30. 
Enforce, force, compel ; IV. iii. 11. 
Enforced, forced ; IV. i. 18. 
Enlargement, liberty ; II. iii. 122. 
Entertain, take into service; IV. 

ii. 394. 
Estate, state, condition ; V. v. 74. 
Even, keep pace with, profit by ; 

III. iv. 183. 

Just: III. vi. 16. 

Event, issue, result ; III. v. 14. 
Ever, ever ready ; I. Iv. 37. 
Exhibition, allowance; I. vi. 121. 
ExoHciSER, conjurer; IV. ii. 276. 
Extend; " to e. him ",i.e. to increase 

his reputation ; I. iv. 21. 
; " I do e. him within himself", 

i.e. I praise him not more, but even 

less, than he deserves ; I. i. 25. 
Extremity, cruelty ; III. iv. 17. 

Fail, fault, offence; (TJpton conj. 

"fall"); ITI.iv. 65. 
Fairies, evil fairies: II. ii. 9. 
Fall'n-off, revolted : III, vii. 6, 



False, turn false ; II. iii. 71. 
Fan, winnow, test; I. vi. 176. 
Fangled, gaudily ornamented; V. 

iv. 134. 
Far; "speak him f.", praise him 

highly ; (Ff. 3, 4, "/«*>) ; I- i- 24. J 
Fast, fasted; (Ff. 2, 3, 4, "/msf" ; 'I 

Hanmer, "fasting"; &c.) ; IV. ii. 

347. 
Fatherly, in a fatherly way ; II. 

iii. 37. 
Favour, beauty, charm ; I. vi. 41. 
, external appearance ; IV. ii. 

104. 

, countenance ; V. v. 93. 

Fear, fear for; I. iv. 102. 
Fearful, full of fear ; III. iv. 44. 
Feat, dexterous, neat ; V. v. 88. 
Feated, fashioned ; (Rowe, "feat- 
ured") ; Johnson, "feared"); I. i. 

49. 
Feature, shape, exterior ; V. v. 163. 
Fell, cruel ; IV. ii. 109. 
Fellows, equals in rank ; III. iv. 92. 
Feodary, accomplice ; III. ii. 21. 
Fetch, take ; 1. 1. 81. 
Fetch in, take, capture ; IV. ii. 141. (|| 
Fit, ready; III. iv. 170. !i 

Fitment, equipment ; V. v. 409. 
Fits, befits ; III. v. 22. 
Fitted, prepared ; V. v. 55. 
Fitting, befitting, becoming; V. v. 

98. 
Foot, kick ; III. v. 146. 
For, as for ; II. iii. 114; V.iii. 80. 
, fit for, only worthy of; II. iii. 

125. 

, because ; III. iv. 53 ; IV. ii. 129. 

^ for want of; III. vi. 17. 

For all, once for all ; II. iii. 108. 
Fore-end, earlier part; III. iii. 73. 
Forespent, previously bestowed; 

II. iii. 61. 
Forestall, deprive ; III. v. 69. 
Fore-thinking, fore-seeing, antici- 
pating ; III. iv. 170. 
Forfeiters, those who forfeit their 

bonds ; III. ii. 38. 
FoRFEND, forbid ; V. v. 287. 
Forlorn, lost, not to be found ; V. , 

V. 405. I 

Foundations, "quibbling between ! 



124 



Ci^mbeltne* 



Glossary. 



I.iv. 



fixed places and charitable insti- 
tutions " (Schmidt) ; III. vi. 7. 

Fragments, scraps, remnants of 
food ; V. iii. 44. 

Frame to, conform ; 11. iii. 48. 

Franchise, free exercise ; III. i. 56. 

Franklin, yeoman ; III. ii. 77. 

Fraught, burden ; I. i. 126. 

Freeness, generosity ; V. v. 421. 

Fretted, ornamented 
II. iv. 88. 

Friend, lover ; I. iv. 72. 

; "to fr.", for my friend 

110. 

Friendly, in a friendly manner ; 
V. V. 481. 

Frighted, affrighted, frightened ; 
II. iii. 142. 

From, away from ; I. iv. 16. 

, far from ; V. v. 431. 

Full-hearted, full of courage and 
confidence : V. iii. 7. 

Fumes, delusions ; IV. ii. 301. 

Furnaces, |;ives forth like a fur- 
nace ; I. VI. 65. 

Gain ; " g. his colour," i.e. to restore 
him to health " ; IV. ii. 167. 

Gallowses, gallows ; V. iv. 208. 

'Gan, began ; V. iii. 37, 

Geck, dupe: V.iv. 67. 

Gentle, of gentle birth ; IV. ii. 39. 

GiGLOT, false, wanton ; III. i. 31. 

'Gins, begins ; II. iii. 2. 

Give me leave, pardon me ; V. v. 
149. 

Given out, reported, made out ; V. 
V. 312. 

Go BACK, succumb, give way ; I. iv. 
110. 

Go before, excel ; V. ii. 8. 

Go even, accord ; I. iv. 45. 

Gordian knot, the celebrated knot, 
untied by Alexander; II. ii. 34. 

Great court, important court busi- 
ness ; III. V. 50. 

Great morning, broad day ; IV. ii. 
61. 

Guise, practice ; V. i. 32. 

Gyves, fetters ; V. iv. 14. 

Habits, garments ; V. i. 30. 



125 



Hand-fast, marriage engagement; 

I. V. 78. 
Hangings, hanging fruit ; III. iii. 63. 
Haply, perhaps ; III. iii. 29 ; IV. 1. 

20. 
Happy, skilful, gifted ; III. iv. 176. 
Harder, too hard ; III. iv. 163. 
Hardiment, boldness, bravery ; V. 

iv. 75. 
Hardiness, hardihood, bravery; 

III. vi. 22. 
Hardness, hardship, want ; III. vi. 

21. 
Have at it, I'll tell my story ; V. v. 

315. 
Have with you!, Take me with 

you ! ; IV. iv. 50. 
Having, possessions ; I. ii. 18. 
Haviour, behaviour ; III. iv. 9. 
Head, armed force ; IV. ii. 139. 
Heaved to head, raised to my lips ; 

V. V. 157. 
Hecuba, the wife of Priam ; IV. ii. 

313. 
Herblets, small herbs ; IV. ii. 287. 
Hie thee, hasten ; II. iii. 140. 
HiLDiNG, mean wretch ; II. iii. 125. 
Hind, boor, serf; V. iii. 77. 
Hold, fastness ; III. vi. 18. 
HOLP, did help ; V. v. 422. 
Home, thoroughly ; III. v. 92. 
Horse-hairs, fiddle-bow ; II. iii. 31. 
How much, however much ; IV. ii. 

17. 
Hunt, game taken in the chase ; III. 

vi. 90. 

Ignorant, silly, inexperienced ; III. 
i. 27. 

Imperceiverant, dull of percep- 
tion ; (Ff., '' imperseuerajit" (prob- 
ably the correct reading) ; Han- 
mer, " Ul-perseverant) " ; IV. i. 15. 

Imperious, imperial ; IV. ii. .35. 

Importance, import, occasion ; I. iv. 
43. 

Importantly, with matters of such 
importance ; IV. iv. 19. 

In, into ; III. vi. 64. 

iNCiviL, uncivil ; V. v. 292. 

Injurious, malicious, unjust ; III. i. 
47. 

253 



Glossary. 



Cl^mbeltne. 



Injurious, insulting, insolent ; IV. 

ii. 86. 
Instruct, inform ; IV. ii. 360. 
Insultment, insult ; III. v. 143. 
Into, unto ; I. vi. 166. 
Irregulous, lawless, unprincipled ; 

IV. ii. 315. 
Is, is in existence ; I. iv. 79. 
Issues, deeds, actions ; II. i. 49. 

Jack, a small bowl at which the 
players aimed in the game of 
bowls ; " to kiss the iacK " is to 
have touched the jack, and to be 



in excellent position ; II. i. 2. 
Jack-slave, lowborn fellow ; 



term of contempt) ; II. i. 21 

Jay, a loose woman ; a term of re- 
proach ; III. iv. 50. 

Jealousy, suspicion ; IV. iii. 22. 

Jet, strut ; III. iii. 5. 

Join; "j. his honour", i.e. "gave 
his noble aid " ; 1. 1. 29. 

Journal, diurnal, daily ; IV. ii. 10. 

Jovial ; " our J. star " ; (in the old 
astrology, Jupiter was " the joyful- 
lest star, and of the happiest 
augury of all", hence propitious, 
kindly) ; V. iv. 105. 

Jovial, Jove-like ; IV. ii. 311. 

Joy'd, rejoiced ; V. v. 424. 

Jump, risk ; V. iv. 184. 

JusTiCER, judge ; V. v. 214. 

Keep house, stay at home ; III. iii. 

Ken; "within a k.", within sight; 

III. vi. 6. 
Kitchen-trulls, kitchen-maids ; V. 

V. 177. 
Knowing, knowledge ; I. iv. 30 ; II. 

iii. 99. 
Known together, been acquainted 

with each other ; I. iv. 35. 



Label, tablet ; V. v. 430. 
Laboursome, elaborate ; III. iv. 166. 
Lady ; " my good 1.", (?) friend ; used 

ironically ; II. iii. 155. 
Laming, crippling ; V. v. 163. 
Lapp'd, wrapped, enfolded ; V. v. 



Late, lately ; I. i. 6 ; II. ii. 44. 

Laud we, let us praise ; V. v. 476. 

Lay, wager ; i. iv. 159. 

Lay the leaven on, corrupt and 
deprave ; 111. iv. 63. 

Lean'd unto, bowed to, submitted 
to ; I. i. 78. 

Leans, is about to fall ; I. v. 58. 

Learn'i), taught ; I. v. 12. 

Leave ; " by 1.", with your permis- 
sion ; V. V. 315. 

Leave, leave off, cease ; I. iv. 109. 

Left, left off; I. iii. 15. 

, left off reading ; II. ii. 4. 

Less; "without 1.", without more, 
with less (probably to be explained 
as a double negative) ; I. iv. 23. 

Let blood, let suffer, perish ; IV. ii. 
168. 

LiEGERS, ambassadors ; (Ff., " Leid- 
gers"); I. v. 80. 

Like, equal ; I. i. 21 ; V. iv. 75. 

, the same ; IV. ii. 237. 

, likely ; 11. iv. 16. 

, equally ; III. iii. 41. 

Limb-meal, limb from limb ; II. iv. 
147. 

Line, fill with gold ; II. iii. 69. 

Long of, through, owing to ; V. v. 
271. 

Looks us, seems to us ; III. v. 32. 

Lucina, the goddess of childbirth; 
V. iv. 43. 

Lud's town, the old name of Lon- 
don: III. i. 32. 



Madded, maddened : IV. ii. 313. 
Madding, maddening, making mad; 

II.ii.37. 
Made finish, put an end to ; V. v. 

412. 
Makes, produces, causes ; I. vi. 37. 
Martial, resembling Mars ; IV. ii 

310. 
Mary-buds, marigolds ; II. iii. 24. 
Match, arrangement ; III. vi. 30. 
Matter, business ; IV. iii. 28. 
Mean affairs, ordinary affairs ; III. 

ii. 50. 
Means; "your m.", as to your 

means ; III. iv. 179. 
Mercurial; "footm.", i.e. " light 

126 



Ci^mDeline. 



Glossary. 



and nimble like that of Mercury " ; 
IV. ii. 310. 

Mere, utter ; IV. ii. 92. 

, only ; V. v. 334. 

Mineral, poison ; V. v. 50. 

Minion, darling, favourite ; II. iii. 
43. 

Misery ; " noble m.", miserable no- 
bility ; V. iii. 64. 

Moe, more ; III. i. 36. 

Moiety, half; I. iv. 112. 

Mortal, deadly, fatal ; I. iv. 42. 

Motion, impulse ; II. v. 20. 

Motives ; " your three m.", the mo- 
tives of you three ; V. v. 388. 

Move, induce ; I. i. 103. 

Moved, incited, instigated ; V. v. 
342. 

Mows, grimaces, wry faces; I. vi. 
40. 

MULIER (fancifully derived from 
" mollis aer ") ; V. v. 448. 

Mutest, most silent ; I. vi. 115. 

Naught, wicked ; V. v. 271. 
Neat-herd, keeper of cattle ; I. i. 

149. 
Nice, capricious ; II. v. 26. 
Niceness, coyness ; III. iv. 157. 
Nonpareil, paragon ; II. v. 8. 
North, north-wind ; I. iii. 36, 
Note, reputation ; I. iv. 2. 
, list ; (?) " prescription, receipt " ; 

I. v. 2. 

, eminence ; II. iii. 124. 

, notice, attention ; IV. iii. 44. 

, " our n.", taking notice of us ; 

IV. iv. 20. 

, take note, notice; II. ii. 24. 

Nothing, not at all ; I. iv. 101. 
Nothing GIFT, gift of no value ; III. 

vi. 86. 
NoAV, just now ; V. iii. 74. 
Number'd, abundantly provided ; I. 

vi.35. 

Occasions; "over his o.", (?)="in 
regard to what was required"; 
according to some, " beyond what 
was required " ; V. v. 87, 

'Ods pittikins, a petty oath ; IV. ii. 



O'ergrown, overgrown with hair 

and beard ; IV. iv. 33. 
Of, with ; I. vi. 149. 

, on ; II. iii. 116 ; IV. iv. 48. 

, by ; II. iii. 135 ; III, vi. 55 ; IV. 

iv. 22 ; V. V. 346. 

, over ; IV. i. 22. 

, about, in praise of ; V. v. 177. 

Offer'd; "o. mercy," (?) pardon 

granted (but coming too late) ; I. 

iii. 4. 
On, of ; I, V. 75 ; III. iv. 42 ; IV, ii. 

198. 
On's, of us ; (F. 1, " one's" ; Steevens, 

"of us"; Vaughanconj. "o' MS"); 

V. V. 311. 
On't, of it ; I. i. 164 ; V. ii. 3. 
Open'd, disclosed ; V. v. 58. 
Operate, to set to work, to be act- 
ive ; V, V. 197. 
Or, before ; II. iv. 14, 
Orbs, orbits ; V. v. 371. 
Order'd ; "more o.", better regu- 
lated and disciplined ; II. iv. 21, 
Orderly, proper; II. iii. 49. 
Ordinance, what is ordained ; IV. 

ii. 145. 
Or ere. before ; III. ii. 65. 

, rather than ; V. iii. 50. 

Out-peer, excel ; III. vi. 87. 
Outsell, exceed in value ; II. iv. 

102. 
Outsells, outvalues, is superior to ; 

III. V. 74, 
OuTSTOOD, overstayed ; I. vi. 206. 
Outward, external appearance : I, 

i. 23. 
Overbuys, pays too dear a price ; I. 

i. 146. 
Owe, own ; III. i. 37. 

Packing, running off ; ( ') plotting ; 
III. V. 80. 

Paid, punished ; IV. ii. 246. 

Paled in, surrounded ; III. i. 19, 

Pandar, accomplice ; III. iv. 31. 

Pang'd, pained ; III. iv. 97. 

Pantler, keeper of the pantry ; II. 
iii. 126. 

Paragon, pattern, model ; Ill.vi. 44. 

Part ; " for mine own p.", for my- 
self; V.v. 313. 



127 



Glossary. 



Ci^mbeltne* 



Parted, departed ; III. vi. 52. 
Partisan, halberd ; IV. ii. 399. 
Parts, endowments ; III. v. 71. 
Passable, affording free passage ; I. 

ii. 9. 
Passage, occurrence ; III. iv. 93. 
Peculiar, own particular, private ; 

V. V. 83. 
Peevish, foolish ; I. vi. 53. 
Penetrate, touch ; II. iii. 14. 
Penitent, repentant ; V. iv. 10. 
Perfect ; " I am p.", I am perfectly 

well aware, I well know ; III. i. 

72. 
, perfectly well aware ; IV. ii. 

118. 
Perforce, by force ; III. i. 71. 
Pervert, averted ; II. iv. 151. 
Pinch, pain, pang ; I. i. 130. 
Pleaseth, if it please ; I. v. 5. 



'at p.", on the point of; 
II. vi. 17. 



Point 

III. i. 30 ; I 
Point forth, indicate ; V. v. 454. 
Post, hasten ; V. v. 192. 
Posting, hurrying ; III. iv. 37. 
Postures, shapes, forms ; V. v. 165. 
Powers, armed forces ; III. v. 24. 
Practice, plot, stratagem ; V. v. 

199. 
Prefer, recommend ; II. iii. 48 ; IV. 

ii. 386. 

, promote ; V. v. 326. 

Preferment, promotion ; V. iv. 209. 
Pregnant, evident ; IV. ii. 325. 
Presently, immediately ; II. iii. 140. 
Pretty, fair, advantageous ; III. iv. 

149. 
Prides, (?) ostentatious attire ; II. v. 

25. 
Priest, priestess ; I. vi. 132. 
Prince, play the prince ; III. iii. 85. 
Prize, value; (Hanmer, "price"; 

Vaughan, "peize") ; III. vi. 77. 
Probation, proof; V. v. 362. 
Profess myself, proclaim myself 

(by the exuberance of my praise) ; 

I. iv. 71. 
Prone, eager, ready ; V. iv. 202. 
Proof, experience ; I. vi. 69 ; III. iii. 

27. 
Proper, handsome ; III. iv. 63. 
, own ; IV. ii. 97. 



Prunes, arranges his plumage with 

his bill ; V. iv. 118. 
Pudency, modesty ; II. v. 11. 
Put on, incite to, instigate ; V. i. 9. 
PuTTocK, kite ; I. i. 140. 

QuARRELous, quarrclsome ; III. iv. 

161. 
Quarter'd fires, camp fires ; IV, 

iv. 18. 
Quench, become cool ; I. v. 47, 
Question, put to the trial, i.e. fight a 

duel ; II. iv. 52. 

Ramps, leaps ; I. vi. 133. 

Rangers, nymphs ; II. iii. 71. 

Rank, rankness ; (used quibblingly); ; 
II. i. 16. 

Raps, transports ; I. vi. 50. 

Rare, overpowering, exquisite ; I. i. 
135. 

Ravening, devouring greedily ; I. 
vi. 48. 

Razed out, erased; (Ff., "ra&d 
out"): V. V. 70. 

Right, truly ; III. v. 3. 

Ripely, speedily ; III. v. 22. 

Ready, i.e. dressed for going out, 
ready dressed ; (taken quibblingly 
in the more ordinary sense in the 
reply) ; II. iii. 83. 

Reason of, argue about, talk about ; 
IV. ii. 14. 

Reck, care ; IV. ii. 154. 

Recoil, degenerate ; I. vi. 127. 

Rkft'st, didst deprive ; (Ff., 
"refts"); III. iii. 103. 

Relation, hearsay, report ; II. iv. 86, 

Remain, remainder, rest; III. i. 85. 

Remainders ; " the good r. of the 
court," i.e. " the court which now 
gets rid of my unworthiness" 
(used ironically) ; I. i. 129. 

Remembrancer of her, he who re- 
minds her; I. v. 77. 

Render, rendering an account ; IV. 
iv. 11. 

, surrender ; V. iv. 17. 

, relate, tell ; V. v. 135. 

Repented, regretted ; V. v. 59. 

Report; "suffer the r.", may be 
told ; I. iv. 58. 



128 



Cl^mbeltnc, 



Glossary. 



Report, fame ; III. iii. 57. 

Resty, torpifi ; III. vi. 34. 

Retire, retreat ; v. iii. 40. 

Revolt, inconstancy : I. vi. 111. 

Revolts, revolters, deserters; IV. 
iv. 6. 

Rock, rocky eminence ("such as a 
man has found refuge on in ship- 
wreck ", Ingleby) ; V. v. 262. 

Romish, Roman ; I. vi. 151. 

Ruddock, robin redbreast; (Ff., 
" Raddocke ") ; IV. ii. 224. 

Runagate, renegade ; I. vi. 136. 

Safe, sound ; IV. ii. 131. 
Sample, example ; I. i. 48. 
Saucy, insolent ; I. vi. 150. 
Saving reverence, asking pardon ; 

IV. i. 5. 

Sayest thou?, what do you say?; 
II. i. 26. 

Scorn, mockery ; V. iv. 125. 

Scriptures, writings (with perhaps 
a suggestion of its ordinary mean- 
ing) ; III. iv. 82. 

Sear*d, wilted, dissipated ; (Hud- 
son, " sere" ; Elze conj. ''dear," &c., 
&c.) ; II. iv. 6. 

Sear up, prob. due to a blending of 
(i.) " sear " = dry up, with (ii.) 
"sear" = " cere", i.e, seal, cover 
with wax, as linen is dipped in 
melted wax to be used as a snroud, 
{cp. *' cerement," " cere cloth ") ; I. 
i. 116. 

Seakch'd, searched for ; V. v. 11. 

Season, time ; IV. iii. 22. 

Seasons comfort, i.e. "gives happi- 
ness its proper zest " ; I. vi. 9. 

See, i.e. see each other ; I. i. 124. 

Seek through, pursue; IV. ii. 
160. 

Seem ; " still s."=ever put on an ap- 
pearance ; I. i. 3. 

Seeming, external appearance ; V. v. 
65. 

, appearance of fact ; " this hath 

some s.", this seems well-founded ; 

V. V. 452. 

Self, same ; I. vi. 121. 
Self-figured, self- c on tract ed, 
formed by themselves ; (Theobald 



conj., adopted by Warburton, 
" sdf-finger'd ") ; II. iii. 121. 

Senseless, unconscious ; II. iii. 55. 

Senseless of, insensible to ; I. i. 135. 

Serving; "in theirs.", employing, 
using them ; III. iv. 172. 

Set on, forward, march on ; V. v. 
484. 

Sets, which sets ; I. vi. 169. 

Set up, incite ; III. iv. 89. 

Severally, each in his own way ; 
V. V. 397. 

Shared, shaken ; I. v. 76. 

Shall, will ; III. iv. 130. 

Shame, shyness, modesty ; V. iiii. 22. 

Shameless-desperate, shamelessly 
desperate ; V. v. 58. 

Sharded, protected by scaly-wing- 
cases ; III. iii. 20. 

Shes, women ; I. iii. 29. 

Shop, store ; V. v. 166. 

Short, take from, impair ; I. vi. 198. 

Shot, tavern reckoning, score ; V. 
iv. 157. 

Show, deceitful appearance ; V. v. 
54. 

Shows, appearances ; V. v. 428. 

'Shrew me, i.e. beshrew me : a mild 
oath; II. iii. 144. 

Shrine, image ; V. v. 164. 

Silly, simple ; V. iii. 86. 

SiMULAR, false, counterfeited ; V. v. 
200. 

Single oppositions, single combats ; 
(?) "when compared as to partic- 
ular accomplishments "(Schmidt) ; 
IV. i. 14. 

Sinks, makes to sink ; V. v. 413. 

SiNON, who persuaded the Trojans 
to admit into the city the wooden 
horse filled with armed men ; III. 
iv. 60. 

Sir, man ; I. vi. 159. 

Sirrah, a form of address to an infe- 
rior ; III. V. 80. 

Slight in sufferance, careless in 
permitting it ; III. v. 35. 

Slip you, let you go free ; IV. iii. 22. 

Sluttery, the practice of a slut ; I. 
vi. 43. 

Snuff, a candle that has been 
snuffed ; I. vi. 86. 



35 « 



129 



Glossary. 



d^mbcUnc. 



So. it is well ; II. iii. 15. 
Solace, take delight ; I. vi. 85. 
Soldier to, enlisted to ; (?) equal to ; 

III. iv. 185. 

So like you, if it please you ; II. iii. 
56. 

Something, somewhat ; I. i. 86 ; I. iv. 
114. 

Sometime, sometimes ; II. iii. 74. 

, once ; V. v. 333. 

Sorer, more grievous, more evil ; 
iii. vi. 13. 

South-fog; "the S. rot him"; it 
was supposed that the south wind 
was charged with all noxious va- 
pours and diseases ; II. iii. 133. 

Spectacles, organs of vision ; I. vi. 
36. 

Speed ; " how you shall s.", how you 
will fare ; V. iv. 185. 

Sprightly, of good cheer, in good 
spirits ; III. vi. 75. 

Sprited, haunted ; II. iii. 141. 

Spritely, spirit-like, ghostly ; V. v. 
428. 

Spurs, shoots of the root of a tree ; 

IV. ii. 58. 

Staggers, giddiness, reeling ; V. v. 
233. 

Stand, " station of huntsmen wait- 
ing for game "; II. iii. 72. 

, withstand ; V. iii. 60. 

Stand'st so, doth stand up so ; III. 

V. 56. 

Starve, die of cold ; I. iv. 173. 

States, " persons of highest rank "; 
III. iv. 38. 

Statist, statesman, politician ; II. 
iv. 16. 

Still, continually ; II. v. 30. 

, always ; V. v. 250. 

Story, i.e. the subject of the em- 
broidery on the tapestry ; II. ii. 27. 

Story him, give an account of him ; 
I.iv. 34. 

Straight-pight, straight fixed, 
erect ; V. v. 164. 

Strain, impulse, motive ; III. iv. 94. 

, stock, race ; IV. ii. 24. 

Strait, straight ; V. iii. 7. 

Strange, foreign, a foreigner ; I. vi. 
53. 



Stricter, more restricted, less ex- 
acting ; V. iv. 17. 

Stride a limit, overpass the bound ; 
III. iii. 35. 

Streav, strow ; IV. ii. 287. 

Suit, clothe ; V. i. 23. 

Supply ant, auxiliary; III. vii. 14. 

Supplyment, continuance of sup- 
ply ; (Pope, " supply") ; III. iv. 181. 

SuR-ADDiTioN, sumame ; I. i. 33. 

Sweet, sweet-heart; (Collier MS., 
"suite"); i. v. 80. 

Swerve, go astray, mistake ; V. iv. 
129. 

Syenna, the ruler of Syenna ; IV. ii. 
341. 

Synod, assembly of the gods ; V. iv. 



Tables, tablets ; III. ii. 39. 
Take, take pay ; III. vi. 24. 
Take in, make to yield, overcome 

III. ii. 9. 

, conquer, overcome ; IV. ii. 121 

Take me up, take me to task ; II. i. 4, 
Talents; *' beyond allt.", exceed 

ing any sum ; I. vi. 79. 
Tanlings, those tanned by the sun 

IV. iv. 29. 

Targes, targets ; " t. of proof", tar- 
gets of tested metal ; (F. 4, " Tar- 
gets"); Pope, "shields"; Capell, 
"targe"); V. v.5. 

Taste, feel, experience ; V. v. 403. 

Tasting of, experiencing, feeling 

V. V. 308. 

Temper, mix ; V. v. 250. 
Tender; "t. of our present", ten 

dering of our present gift ; I. vi. 

207. 
Tender of, sensitive to. III. v. 40. 
Tent, probe ; III. iv. 118. 
That, for that, because ; III. v. 71. 

, since that ; III. vii. 4. 

, that which ; IV. ii. 125; V. iv. 

135. 

, so that ; V. iii. 11 ; V. iv.45. 

Thereto, in addition thereto ; IV. 

iv.33. 
Thick, fast, quickly ; III. ii. 56. 
This, this is; (S. Walker conj. 

"e;ii8"');II.ii.50. 



130 



Cpmbeltne, 



Glossary. 



Threat, threaten : IV. ii. 127. 
Throughfare, thoroughfare ; I. ii. 

10. 
Throughly, thoroughly ; II. iv. 12 ; 

III.vi.3G. t 

Thunder-stone, thunder bolt ; IV. 

ii.271. 
Time, age ; I. i. 43. 
TiNCT, colour : II. ii. 23. 
TiREST ON, preyest upon (as a hawk) ; 

III. iv. 96. 
Titan, the god of the Sun ; III. iv. 

165. 
Title, name ; I. iv. 91. 
To, as to ; I. iv. 99. 

, compared to ; III. ii. 10. 

, is to be compared to; III. iii. 

26. 

, in addition to ; IV. ii. 333. 

Tomboys, hoydens ; I.vi. 121. 
Tongue, speak ; V. iv. 147. 
Touch, feeling, emotion ; I. i. 135. 
Toys, trifles; IV. ii. 193. 
Trims, dress, apparel ; III. iv. 166. 
Trip me, refute me, give me the lie ; 

V. V. 35. 
Troth, the truth ; V. v. 274. 
Trow, I wonder ; I. vi. 46. 
True, honest ; II. iii. 74. 
Truer, more honest man ; I. v. 43. 
Tune, voice ; V. v. 238. 
Twinn'd, resembling each other like 

twins • I. vi.34. 

Unbent ; " to be u.", to unbend thy 

bow ; III. iv. 110. 
Undergo, undertake, perform ; I. iv. 

146; III. v. 110. 
Undertake, give satisfaction ; II. i. 

27. 
Unparagon'd, matchless ; I. iv. 83 ; 

II. ii. 17. 
Unpaved, castrated ; II. iii. 32. 
Unprizable, invaluable ; I. iv. 93. 
Unspeaking sots, blockheads want- 
ing power of speech ; V. v. 178. 
Untwine, cease to twine ; IV. ii. 59. 
Up, put up ; II. iv. 97. 
Up-cast, a throw directed straight 

up; II. i. 2. 
Use; "their u.". they use us ; IV. 

iT.7, 



Utterance ; "at u.", at all hazards ; 

III. i. 72. 

Valuation, value ; IV. iv. 49. 
Vantage, opportunity ; I. iii. 24. 

, advantage ; V. v. 198. 

Vantages, favourable opportunity; 

II. iii. 47. 
Venge, avenge ; I. vi. 91. 
Verbal, wordy, verbose ; II. iii. 108. 
Very Cloten, Cloteu himself; IV. 

ii. 107. 
View ; " full of v.", full of promise ; 

III. iv. 149. 

Wage, wager ; I. iv. 137. 
Waggish, roguish ; III. iv. 159. 
Waked, awoke ; V. v. 429. 
Walk, withdraw, walk aside ; I. i. 

176 ; V. V. 119. 
Wanton, one brought up in luxury ; 

IV. ii. 8. 

Warrant, pledge ; I. iv. 61. 
Watch ; " in w.", awake ; III. iv. 

42. 
Watching, keeping awake for ; II. 

iv. 68. 
Way ; " this w.", by acting in this 

way ; IV. iv. 4. 
Weeds, garments ; V. i. 23. 
Well encounter'd, well met ; III. 

vi. 66 
Wench-like, womanish ; IV. ii. 230. 
Went before, excelled ; I. iv. 75. 
What, what a thing ; IV. i. 15. 
When as, when ; (Dyce, " whenas"); 

V. iv. 138 : V. V. 435. 
Which, who ; II. iii. 109. 
Whiles, while ; I. v. 1. 
Who, whom ; V. v. 27. 
Whom, which ; III. i. 52. 
Windows, eyelids ; II. ii. 22, 
Wink, shut their eyes ; V. iv. 189. 
Winking, having the eyes shut ; II. 

iii. 24. 

, blind ; II. iv. 89. 

Winter-ground, protect from the 

inclement weather of the winter ; 

(Collier MS. "winter-guard"; 

Bailey conj. "winter-fend'^'; EIze, 

" wind around") ; IV. ii. 229. 
With, by ; II. iii. 144 ; V. iii. 33. 



131 



Glossary. 



C^mbeltne, 



Woodman, huntsman ; III. vi. 2! 
Worms, serpents ; III. iv. 36. 
Won. I) so, would have done so 

V. 189. 
WiiiNGS, writhes ; III. vi. 79. 



V. 



Write against, denounce ; II. v. 32. 
Wrying, swerving ; V 1. 5. 



You're best, you had better; 
U.77. 



III. 



132 



NOTES. 



I. i. 3. *does the king'; Tyrwhitt's conjecture; Ff., 'do's the 
kings'; Hanmer, 'do the king's.' 

I. i. 133. 'A year's age '; this reading seems weak ; one ex- 
pects some stronger expression. Warburton, adopted by Theo- 
bald, ' a yare [i.e. speedy] age'; Hanmer, ^rnany A year's age*; 
Nicholson, ^ more than Thy years' age '; &€., dec. 

I. iii. 9. * make me with this eye or ear '; Ff, ' his ' for ' this.' 

I. iv. 20. ^ are wonderfully to'; Warburton conj. ^ aids wonder- 
fully to'; Capell conj. 'are wonder ftd to'; Eccles, 'and wonder- 
fully do.' 

I. iv. 77. * could not but '; Malone's emendation of Ff., ' could 
not.' 

I. iv. 116. 'herein too '/ so Ff. 3, 4; Ff. 1, 2, 'heereinto*; Grant 
White, 'herein-to'; Anon. conj. 'hereunto'; Vaughan conj. 'here- 
in, so.' 

I. iv. 139. 'afraid'; Warburton's emendation, adopted by 
Theobald ; Ff., *a Friend'; Becket conj. *ajgiied\- Jackson conj. 
* affianc'd'; Collier MS., ^afeard'; Ingleby conj. *her friend.^ 

I. V. 68. * chance thou changest on*; so Ff.; Eowe reads * chance 
thou chancest on '; Theobald, * change thou chancest on.* 

I. vi. 24. • trust—'; Boswell's reading ; Ff, ' trust.'; Hanmer, 
'truest.'; Rann, ' truest,'; Thirl by conj. * trusty.' 

I. vi. 35. ' number' d,' (?)=♦ rich in numbers ' ; Theobald, 'un- 
number'd'; Warburton, 'humbl'd'; Farmer conj, *umber'd'; 
Jackson conj. 'member'd*; Theobald's excellent emendation has 
much to commend it. 

I. vi. 44. 'desire vomit emptiness'; Johnson explained these 

133 



Notes. Cpmbeltne. 

difficult words as follows: — " Desire, when it approached sZMf- 
tery, and considered it in comparison with such neat excellence, 
would not only be not so allured to feed, but seized with a fit of 
loathing, would vomit emptiness, would feel the convulsions of 
disgust, though being unfed, it had no object." Pope, ^desire 
vomit ev'n emptiness '; Capell, * desire vomit to emptiness '; Hudson, 
' desire vomit from emptiness.^ 

I. vi. 108. * unlustrous ' ; Kowe's emendation of Ft, ' illtistri- 
otis\' Ingleby, 'ill-lustrous.^ 

II. ii. 49. 'bare the raven's eye'; Theobald's conj., adopted by 
Sfceevens; Ff., ' beare the Rav,ens eye.' 

II. iii. 26. ' With every thing that pretty is '; Hanmer (unneces- 
sarily, for the sake of the rhyme), ' With all the things that pretty 
bin'; Warburton, 'With everything that pretty bin.' 
II. iii. 31. 'vice'; Rowe's emendation of Ff., 'voyce.' 
II. iii. 49. 'soliciting'; the reading of Collier (ed. 2); F. 1 
reads ' solicity'; Ff. 2, 3, 4, 'solicits'; Pope, 'solicits.' 

II. iii. 103. 'Are not'; Warburton's conjecture, adopted by 
Theobald, ' cure not '; but no change is necessary. 

III. i. 20. 'rocks'; Seward conj., adopted by Hanmer; Ff., 
' Oakes.' 

III. i. 53. * We do '; these words are part of Cymbeline's speech 
in Ff. ; Collier MS. assigns them to Cloten, and the arrange- 
ment has been generally adopted. 

III. iii. 2. ' Stoop '; Hanmer's emendation of Ff., ' Sleepe.' 
III. iii. 6. 'turbans'; F. 1, ' Turbonds'; Ff. 2, 3, 4, ' Turbands.* 
III. iii. 23. 'bauble'; Rowe's emendation of Ff, 'Babe'; Han- 
mer, ' bribe'; the latter suggestion has been accepted by many 
modern editors ; Brae, '6adgfe,'i.e. decoration, ribbon. 

III. iii. 34. 'prison for'; Pope's emendation of F. 1, 'Prison, 
or*; Ff. 2, 3,4, 'Prison or'; Anon, conj., and Vaughan conj., 
'prison of.' 

Ill, iii. 83. ' /' the cave wherein they bow '; Warburton's emen- 
dation ; Ff., '/' th' Cave, whereon the Bowe '; Rowe, '/' th' cave, 
134 



Cl^mbeline. Notes. 

where on the bow '; Pope, ' Here in the cave, wherein '; Theobald, 
^Ith' cave, there, on the brow,' &c. 

III. iv. 51. ' Whose mother was her painting,' i.e. ' who owed her 
beauty to her painted face '; or, perhaps * whose painted face 
was the sum of her woman-like qualities ' ; according to others, 
* whose mother aided and abetted her daughter in her trade.' 

III. i V. 80. ' afore' t '; Kowe's emendation of Ff., ' a-foot.' 

III. iv. 103. ^I'llwake mine eye-balls blind first'; HsLnmer's exn- 
endation; Ff. read* I'M wake mine eye-balles first'; Rowe, 'PW 
break mine eye-balls first'; Johnson conj., adopted by Ingleby, 
Til wake mine eye-balls outfirsf; Collier MS., ' Fll crack mine eye- 
balls first.' 

III. iv. 134. Vaughan proposed ' With that harsh noble — noble 
simply in nothing'; Spence, 'trash noble' {i.e. base coin); Elze, 
' that ignoble,' <&c. 

III. iv. 137. * Where thenf perhaps these words should be 
assigned to Pisanio. 

III. iv. 176. ' Which you'll make himknow'; Hanmer's reading; 
Ff. read ' Which will make him know '; Theobald, ' Which will 
make him so.' 

III. V. 44. ' loudest n»ise '; Rowe's emendation ; Ff. 1, 2, ' lowd 
of noise'; Houd' st of noise,' Capell. 

III. V. 72. Possibly, as explained by Johnson, these words are 
to be explained as meaning, * than any lady, than all ladies, 
than all womankind '; Hanmer, * than any lady, winning from 
each one.' 

III. vi. 71. Perhaps we should, read, with Hanmer, * Pd bid '; 
i.e. ' I'd bid for you and make up my mind to have you.' 

III. vii. 9. 'commends'; Warburton's emendation, adoptel 
by Theobald; Ff., ^commands', (perhaps=' commands to be 
given '). 

IV. ii. 132. ' humour '; Theobald's emendation of Ff., ' honor. ' 
IV. ii. 168. 'parish'; Hanmer, 'marish'; Ga nick's version, 

^ river''; Becket conj. 'jjaragie.' 

135 



Notes. C^mbclinc. 

IV. ii. 224. " The ruddock," etc. ; the kindly service of the 
Bobin Bedbreast is often referred to in Elizabethan literature, 

e.g. 

Covering with moss the dead's unclosed eye, 
The little redbreast teacheth charitie. 

Drayton, The Owl. 

It is worth while noting that the story of The Babes in the 
Wood was dramatised as early as 1600 in Yarrington's " Two 
Lamentable Tragedies." 

IV. iii. 36. ' I heard no letter,' i.e. (?) ' I've not had a line ' ; 
Haumer reads 'Fvehad'; Capell, ' I have had'; Mason couj., 
and Warburton conj., adopted by Collier (ed. 2), ' I had.' 

V. i. 15. • dread it, to the doers' thrift '; perhaps this means 
that the guilty benefit by their dread, for their dread makes 
them repent, and repentance brings them salvation. Theo- 
bald suggested ' dreaded . . . thrift '; but the text, though 
somewhat difficult, may be correct. 

V. iii. 26. ' that,' i.e. ' that death.' 

V. iii. 43. * they '; Theobald's correction of Ff., * the '; i.e. ' re- 
tracing as slaves the strides they made as victors.' 

V. iii. 53, ' Nay, do not wonder'; Theobald reads ' Nay, do but 
wonder'; Staunton conj. ^Ay, do but wonder'; "Posthumus first 
bids him not wonder, then tells him in another mode of re- 
proacli that wonder was all he was made for" (Johnson). 

V. v. 54. ' and in time '; so F. 1 ; Ff. 2, 3, 4, * yes and in time '; 
S. Walker conj. ' and in due time,' &c. 

V. V. 263. The stage-direction was first inserted by Hanmer, 
and explains the meaning of the lines, and gets rid of a long 
series of unnecessary emendations. 

V. V. 305 'scar'; 'had ever s. for,' i.e. had ever received a 
scar for; Ff. 1, 2, 'scarre'; Collier conj. 'sense'; Singer (ed, 2), 
'score'; Bailey conj. 'soar.' 

V. V. 378. 'When ye'; Rowe's emendation of Ff., 'When we'; 
Capell, ' When you.' 

136 



Cl^mbeltnC, Notes. 

V. V. 382. '^«rce,' disordered; (?) vehement, rapid ; Collier 
conj. * forced '; Bailey conj. 'brief.* 

V. V. 384. distinction should be rich in,' i.e. " Ought to be ren- 
dered distinct by a liberal amplitude of narrative " (Steevens). 

V. V. 392. ' our long inter' gatories '; Tyrwhitt conj., adopted by 
Malone ; Ff., * our long Interrogatories.* 



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